Anyone else singing the title?

If you are, it's likely because you've heard the "Hamilton" musical soundtrack. Perhaps you're like me, with a teenage daughter obsessed with the soundtrack, the story line and all things 1776-1800. "Isn't Alexander Hamilton dreamy?" says my teenager without a trace of sarcasm.

For those lacking 24/7 "Hamilton" knowledge, Aaron Burr (the guy who shot and killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel) is portrayed as a waffler, a political flip-flopper. He's like a chameleon, changing his political views and colors as needed for the situation.

He advises Alexander to "Talk less, smile more, don't let them know what you're against or what you're for..." in the song "Aaron Burr, Sir". Alexander replies, "If you stand for nothing Burr, what’ll you fall for?"

This American Revolution-era conflict combined with the most recent presidential election got me thinking about my convictions and activism. Do I know what I stand for? Do other people know what I stand for? Does it matter? What am I teaching my kids when I speak up? Or when I talk less and smile more to be agreeable and not have to take a stand?

I've spent some time thinking about this.

What I'm willing to fight for is kindness. Kindness in my family, kindness to strangers, kindness to myself. I believe the world's problems disappear with kindness. I will defend acts of kindness.

You? What do you stand for?

A life coach is a neutral person who listens to your hopes and desires and asks questions that focus on aligning your deepest values (your foundation) with your life.

Are you living on purpose? My job is to notice a lens that's cloudy and help you gain clarity--maybe your purpose used to be clear and it could now use some shining up and clarifying. I can make observations about your power source and take steps to make sure you're filling yourself up with energy that's sustainable, so that your light can shine for others.

In addition to self-maintenance, there are environmental factors for the lighthouse--there are rough, stormy periods where the waves come right over the shore and pound you, there are foggy periods of low visibility, there are long stretches of calm weather where you wonder if you're even needed. These are circumstances you can't change in your life. We are human and we all go through rough stretches. Our values or life purpose may get unclear, we may even feel undervalued or unneeded. While we can't change the circumstances around us, we can examine and change our thoughts that cause us pain.

Through all of this, I can compassionately notice and observe and question.

Anyone else singing the title?

He advises Alexander to "Talk less, smile more, don't let them know what you're against or what you're for..." in the song "Aaron Burr, Sir". Alexander replies, "If you stand for nothing Burr, what’ll you fall for?"

What I'm willing to fight for is kindness. Kindness in my family, kindness to strangers, kindness to myself. I believe the world's problems disappear with kindness. I will defend acts of kindness.

What does a life coach do?

A life coach is a neutral person who listens to your hopes and desires and asks questions that focus on aligning your deepest values (your foundation) with your life.

Your job is to tell your truth and compassionately make changes as you see fit.