I woke up in the middle of the night feeling frantic and desperate. "God, are you there?" I don't know what to do. My mind is caving in. I've tried everything I know to do and it isn't working. Help me!"

Does it feel that way? Are you doing everything you can only to find yourself at the end of what you know to do? This experience is especially true for those with attention challenges. When pressure is mounting, work, marriage or financial trouble can feel excruciating. We're desperate under the weight of it all. Simply put, extreme pressure brings us to our knees!

What does it look like to experience God's presence? Pause with me and ponder for a moment not the question itself, but the process the question suggests. Who we are as a reflection of who God is creates the focus we need when we communicate with Him. This is crucial if we are going to truly experience God's presence amidst the extreme pressure our trouble inflicts.

Many people focus their attention on what they believe the act of prayer should be. I was taught growing up that clasping my hands with my head bowed and eyes closed was the accepted method of prayer. Unfortunately, as an adult with ADD, that method didn't create focus. It created a power nap! Needless to say, that was not my intention and the method of prayer I was using was a distraction.

My path to focused prayer was revealed to me when I pondered on a night I was experiencing the tremendous weight of a circumstance I could not bear. In my anguish, I instinctively lied on the floor and started speaking my inner dialogue. The more I spoke out loud, the more I felt God was listening. Now, with intention, I physically lower my body and speak out loud as a way to create the focus I need, so that I can truly experience God's presence.

The process of entering God's presence is the path to focused prayer. It's based on how you do it individually. The next time prayer is urgent pay attention to what's happening when you pray? Where are you? What do you hear? What are you feeling? Where in your body are you feeling it? If we shift our attention to the process, we will create the focus that draws us into His presence. Knowing our unique path to focused prayer relieves the pressure and enables us to" ...approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

The Creator can reveal how you were meant to connect with Him if you pay close attention to how He designed you. Want to accelerate that process? Call us today at 574-855-1800 for a FREE session.

 What do Earth, Mars, and Venus have in common? The answer to this question is obvious. What's not so obvious is how the question suggests an answer based on what's similar. This is how solutions are developed in our culture. We look at how most people, things, and situations are the same and then develop the steps needed to move a person from the problem to the solution. The application is "4 Steps to Conflict Resolution in Your Marriage", 3 Steps to Finding Work you Love in 30 Days" or "10 Easy Steps to Losing 10 Pounds." Problem solved! You simply execute the steps to achieve the desired outcome. But what if the steps to achieve what you want are'nt working?

Earth, Mars, and Venus are obviously planets. Specifically, they're similar because they rotate on an axis. But not until you look at what Earth does differently do you understand and appreciate its uniquenss. The axis of the Earth tilts differently. The speed of the Earth rotates differently. These differences make up Earth's unique composition. If we view Earth as being similar, then it's a planet. If we view Earth as being different, then we see how it's uniqe becuase it sustains life.

The fundemental challenge appears for ADDers when a sincere effort is given to execute the steps and solutions well meaning people give to assist them with their attention problems. Family, friends, Physicians, teachers, therapists, bosses, and sprititual leaders all want to see them live life more effectively. Yet, when an ADDer tries to adapt to the steps to solving a problem based on how most people are similar, the ADDer falls short. They conlucde they are broken and will never measure up.

Is an ADDer broken or different? How you answer that question could shift your focus and change your life. What's undeniably clear to me is this. When we look at our differences, we see value. When we pay attention to our God given, unique composition, what's revealed to us is unique and, like Earth, sustains life. Don't look for solutions based on what's similar because you are not the same. Rather, look for solutions based on how you're different. This is done by learning how to pay attention to how you do it differently. Coaching accelerates the learning process so interest is engaged, focus is created, and energy propels you forward. That's powerful!

Are you ready to accelerate your process? Let's go...!

I couldn't stop ruminating on my shortcomings and lamenting on my mistakes. I was doing everything wrong or procrastinating not doing anything at all. To work through my anger and frustration I tried therapy, but then I knew more about ADHD than everyone around me. I would engage my relationships ready to fight to prove why I could or to justify why I could not. That seemed to be doing more harm than good. Finding out I had ADHD wasn't enough. The diagnosis told me what was wrong. It told me I was broken. I felt desperate and hopeless.

Then, I opened up a book and it said, "...I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." After reading that my attention started shifting from what seemed broken, depserate and hopeless, to what was wonderful and right. I started realizing the brain I thought was broken and defective was just wired differently. Now I have the courage to "...know full well." the unique strengths and abilities I have come to appreciate.

What is the story that is being written about your life? Is it a story of being broken, desperate, and hopeless or a story of what is unique and set apart for a special purpose? Coaching is the process of writing a new story for your life and then living that story with courage. Each new strength revealed is a "knowing".

Identify one thing that is right about you no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Then, out loud, in your own way, repeat the following:

Today I know that I am _______ and it is wonderful.

Something wonderful is waiting to be revealed to you! I would love to know what that is. Let's talk!