Can you believe that it is already almost June. So much has happened this year in the world, from Whitney Houston’s passing to Facebook going public. I think the world – like the economy – seems a little fragile, a little nervous, and has lost some of its credibility. When one is young one does not notice that we as humans have challenges around us all the time. It is so in the midst of their own challenges that they are directly paying attention to what is happening around them. As an adult, it is important to pay attention. Being in the moment, and realize that there are challenges around the bend. But always remember that just because it’s drama, it does not mean you have to be dramatic. Many of you know, I have been a life coach in Los Angeles since 1994. Actors are therefore a large part of my livelihood. Believe me, I know all about dramatic people. But just because you are in the middle of a drama that does not mean you have to react in a dramatic or negative way. As long as you live, there will be challenges or in the words of the famous poem, “There are times and seasons for everything. Times When things are up, and times are things are down.” We simply have to adapt and learn to thrive in all seasons. I have in my work with people found that there are three things that usually happen when a tragedy occurs. Some people become frustrated, some people get scared, while others as you are motivated.

In the middle of the Great Depression that took place in the 1930s, many large companies were started people chose to become motivated and were able to rise above the challenges they faced. When people become frustrated because of the difficulties it took several forms. Sometimes it led to anger and depression. They are constantly in the midst of an ongoing drama. People who constantly repeat their dilemmas become weary in soul and feel weighted down. I’ve seen the best of the best that have become frustrated during tough times and sustained a fear of life’s challenges. For years I have also been a life coach for athletes throughout the world. My experience tells me that an athlete who loses his self-confidence has major problems. Whether you want to call it “swagger” as Jay-Z says, or confidence in short, … You need it. Self-confidence means assurance or belief. If you’ve ever seen Heidi Klum on the catwalk, there is no doubt that she has it. Or watch Tiger Woods when he sometimes gets a bad start, but still looks like a winner. Feel like a winner and you will likely also come out on top before the contest is over. So what do you know about yourself? Do you know you can pass all the obstacles that will come in your way? Do you feel like a winner?

I was visiting in Miami, Florida many years ago when Hurricane David suddenly struck. It was fascinating to witness the forces of nature. Trees were torn up from the ground and cars were thrown from one side of the road to another. It was a breathtaking experience in many ways. The day after, Miami thoroughly shaken by the storm. The streets were full of trash and debris. The only thing that seemed to have survived more or less with no injuries were palm trees. This made ​​me curious and I began studying the palm trees. I was then told some interesting facts. Palms are very deeply rooted in the ground, sometimes with roots as deep as 30 feet. Palm trees have a substance in the root that allows it to bend but very rarely broken. It’s almost like a gum. You can bend at a palm tree so you can get the top to touch the ground. When you release the tree, it just bounces back. Does not that sound a bit like life in general? Whether you have experienced tough separations example, fractions with close friends or other challenges in life, you learned that you were more deeply rooted than you thought. Despite the fact that you had heavy periods, you have been convinced that you will ‘bounce back’. Palm trees are also known to provide shade. Where the palm grows, it is usually warm and the palm shade is a necessity for people who live there. In Miami and Beverly Hills, you will see palm trees everywhere. When it feels like life trying to pick ourselves up by the roots, it is important that we stand firm and retain our confidence. But also, be aware of our surroundings that seem wilted under the heat of life’s challenges. We have an obligation to those around us to give them some shade. If you kept your strength in the middle of one of life’s most difficult moments, you can be a place of rest and shade for those you know who desperately need it. Let us go strong this summer. Deep-seated, bouncing back and providing shade for those who need it. Let us retain our confidence and not just try to survive, but believe that we actually have the capacity to manage through the tough times and continue to live our best life.

Whitney Houston - Concert in Central Park / Good Morning America 2009 - Manhattan NYC (Photo credit: asterix611)

“I had the money. I had the cars. I had the house. Had the house band. Had the kid. And none of it was really that fulfilling. For a time, I was happy. I was happy, but I needed that joy. I needed my joy back. I needed that peace that passes all understanding. “ Whitney Houston