Henriet's Blog

StrengthsFinder For A Better Life

Living out of our Strengths: a possible solution to stress and dissatisfaction?

Yesterday's post discussed Oprah's self-confessed struggles with her weight. She's currently focusing on how to live our "Best Life" on her shows, bringing in experts to address the things we all deal with.

Use your Strengths Buckingham style

In the past, she's had Marcus Buckingham on her show. He is a Strengths coach and advocates Taking Control of Your Career and Your Life. That includes living in our strengths. In his book, Go Put Your Strengths To Work, he discusses the need to put together a strong week plan. This plan leads to living more and more in our strengths. One of the things he encourages is to figure out what we love and what we hate. Do more of what we love and stop doing what we hate. Makes sense, right?

When we do more of what we love and are naturally good at, it should reduce stress and increase joy. Less stress and more joy...a recipe for contentment and maybe even weight loss?

Semper Vita trains using StrengthsFinder

One of the core convictions of Semper Vita's approach is that we believe that each person is designed uniquely by God. As such, living in our strengths leads to contentment, joy and greater success. One of our services is personal StrengthsFinder coaching, using Now Discover Your Strengths, co-authored by Marcus Buckingham.

We desire for everyong to "experience life through service in community." We believe that by understanding ourselves, and loving ourselves, God and others, we will live a meaningful and fulfilled life. We also believe that when we live a God-honoring, other-focused life, we will find contentment and reduce stress. Doesn't that sound like the best life?

Contact us if you're interested in finding out more about living in your Strenghts.

Oprah, Weight, Stress and Self-worth

Struggling with ourselves, trying to find hope and strength from within.

Last week, on Larry King Live, Bob Greene and Dr. Mehmet Oz were interviewed by King. The subject:  Oprah and her struggle with weight. They showed Oprah on video. About her weight gain, she said, "I'm mad at myself. I'm embarrased." She added, "I can't believe...I'm still talking about my weight." (Oprah, as seen on Larry King Live, 1.6.09).

Her question to herself, "How did I let this happen again?" The answer from Dr. Oz and Greene went beyond diet and exercise. They mentioned that struggles with weight are symptoms of underlying causes - almost always these include emotional issues and stress.

Many of us share Oprah's weight struggles

Oprah's struggles are real and many of us can relate. Unfortunately, I've put on about half the weight she did - specifically, 20 lbs. My reasons are similar to Oprah's...age, thyroid and stress. Circumstances in my life have been challenging. It's meant stress, lack of sleep and eating as a coping mechanism.

Oprah, according to Greene, eats when she gets stressed, bored, bothered or happy. She too uses food as a coping mechanism. Can we relate? I can!

Joy regardless of weight

She also said that all the money, fame and attention "doesn't mean a thing if you can't control your own being." She added it doesn't mean anything "if you can't fit in your clothes."  That's a strong statement and Dr. Oz agreed with her. But is it true?

I'm sure we feel this way when we don't look the way we want but is our value, worth and success related to weight and control "of your own being"? God says we are 'deeply loved, fully pleasing, totally forgiven, accepted and complete in Christ' (from Search for Significance). Our strength doesn't come from within but from looking up. God through Jesus gives us worth. God's Spirit gives us strength. Once we look to the right place for hope, value and worth we can tackle the issues of life.

At Semper Vita we believe that each person is uniquely created by God and has great worth. Understanding yourself helps you to lead your best life.

What's your take?

P.S. Clearly thyroid issues are real and affect weight. It's an under-diagnosed condition that many of us face. It's real and impacts mood, energy, sleep and weight. If you have a thyroid issue or suspect you may, I would highly recommend making an appointment with an endocrinologist (thyroid specialist).