A Coach and Role Model
By Guest Blogger Shari Ciapka

I’m a Muppet fanatic to the core.  It all began when my mom made me a Miss Piggy costume for Halloween, and I proudly paraded around the Lake Hiawatha Elementary School parking lot in my feather boa, pig ears, and cardboard snout.  I aspired to be just like Miss Piggy as she epitomized the ultimate balance of glamour and feminine power. As I matured, however, I also became akin to Kermit the Frog’s disposition, which is really that of his creator, Jim Henson.

Jim Henson said; “When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world.  My hope is to leave the world a little better for my having been there.”  There’s no doubt that Henson accomplished his goal by masterfully educating and entertaining people of all ages through his unique interaction between puppets and humans.  His brilliant legacy will live on for generations to come.

There’s a deeply introspective scene in “The Muppet Movie”, in which Kermit and friends become stranded in the desert on route to Hollywood, possibly missing their big chance to become movie stars.  In a conversation with himself, Kermit wonders why all of the Muppets have entrusted him with their dream.  After all, he never promised them anything.  In his dialogue, he finally realizes that everyone came along because they believed in the dream too, and the only one to whom he made a promise was himself.  Kermit is a natural leader with a sense of humility and an innate ability to bring out the best in others – sounds a lot like iPEC coaches.

What can we learn from Kermit?  Just because we’re coaches doesn’t mean that we have to “have it all figured out” or “have it all together” all the time.  Why?  Because the answers lie within our clients, of course.  The important thing is that we are highly aware of our own thoughts, feelings, and actions, which allow us to self-coach, reach out to fellow coaches for assistance, and utilize our inner coach to guide others.  All we need to bring to the table is an intuitive ear, a unique servicing system, and a promise to ourselves that we’ll be the best coaches we can be.  Guided by Kermit, the Muppets ultimately make it to Hollywood, and they get their big movie deal.  What legacy will you leave through coaching?

“Life’s like a movie.  Write your own ending.  Keep believing, keep pretending.  We’ve done just what we set out to do, thanks to the lovers, the dreamers, and you.”  ~ Kermit the Frog and “The Muppet Movie” cast.

About Shari Ciapka:
Shari’s mission through Sense Savvy Living (SSL) is to help people reveal the beauty in their everyday lives through the health and wellness of their five senses.  She’s passionate that our senses are the precious intake system for how we experience the world, and they should not be taken for granted.  Through SSL, Shari provides real-life ideas that will inspire, empower, and motivate you to touch, taste, smell, see, and hear your way to a sensational life.  You can read more of Shari’s blog posts at her website, http://www.sensesavvyliving.com/, and also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Sense-Savvy-Living/176276913338