Jodi Brichta-Coyne, Coach/Author/Speaker

Did you ever notice that sometimes when you look around the world seems empty? you can also look around in a crowded room and yet feel... so all alone. When you look around and see all the 'stuff' in your world (material things) does it lack lustre? Something is missing? what is it?   In today's society, we all are so caught up with wanting and having more because if we get things we want or what our nieghbors' have, we think we will be fulfilled. That new piece, i.e. furniture, clothing, things once obtained will allow us to release endorphins or feel good hormones but, for how long?   When we attach ourselves to things to help us achieve happiness we set ourselves up with a standard, a standard that is only visible to the eye. It holds no depth and definitely doesn't sustain us for the long term. Clothes get worn and out of style, furniture gets used, things fade or lose appeal and after they do, we are so eager to replace them. The same goes for people, the...

Mom Goddess Coach: Why can't we just eat cupcakes, smile and be happy... : This may seem like such a trivial issue to some given the scope of other challenges in the world today. It is the ever debatable peanut a...

This may seem like such a trivial issue to some given the scope of other challenges in the world today. It is the ever debatable peanut allergy and cupcake issue that I wish to address. I know that every mom has dealt with this issue and I want to lay the cards on the table per say.  I am a room mom for my daughters 4th grade class in which, 3 kids have allergies to peanuts (1 severe) and 1 child had sensitivities to red dye 40. I sent around a memo asking for a donation for crafts, paper supplies,  and the teachers holiday gift card. On the bottom of the note I put... "If you would like to send in cupcakes I believe the preferred brand to use is Dunkin Hines, as they are peanut-free"     Now... I just want to note that one of the moms (whose son does have an allergy, not severe) brought in cupcakes the week prior as they had a small party for another child who was leaving. I asked her what brand she used so I know in the future and her reply was "oh, I don'...

This week my children started back to school and as I returned from the bus stop (dropping off my middle-schooler and elementary child), I couldn't believe what I was hearing... Stay at home mom's complaining about doing housework, kids schedules, etc. OK, so yes, we all like to bitch and moan at times (and yes, that was me years ago) however, my perspective has long since changed-- and I thank my lucky stars for that everyday!  Let me explain why: 1) If all I have in life to talk about are my kids and housework then I have not yet fulfilled my purpose here on earth... There is so much more to life than that! I am a role model to my children. Wouldn't I want them to see me doing something that fulfills me and that I am passionate about? hmmnn... 2) By complaining you are actually bringing on more of that misery so, why complain? instead, be thankful for your blessings and rea lize that some days are more "do-ing" than others and on the other days do somethin...

There is something that happens in a women after she hits the magical number of 40. She enters a new era where her body and emotions shift and seem to go in completely different directions.  For a lot of women/moms, this uncertainty or unawareness can lead to a feeling of being overloaded and make one go insane.  After discussing this topic with numerous women, I am finding the following scenario most common today:   After a hectic start to the day, you manage to get the kids off to school and you're already exhausted.  You grab your 2nd cup of coffee and off to work you go. After a full day of work, you come home only to take the kids to their activities, make dinner, and help with homework. You then manage to grab a glass of wine to settle down or perhaps take your anti-depressant because you are so overwhelmed and have had no time to yourself to decompress.  Perhaps, you take your happy pill in the morning and make it through the day numb,emotionless and ...

During a recent conversation with a family member, I have come to realize how silly our rationalized thinking can be sometimes.  I started talking about food and choices we all make today.   Our food choices are filled with food derived from GMO's (genetically modified organisms), wheat, dairy with hormones and antibiotics and grocery stores filled with processed food that has more chemicals on the labels that I won't even attempt to pronounce.  As I asked the question "do you know what a GMO is?" the answer was "I don't care, I am still here." As I thought about this response I wondered, is it because I am younger and have this knowledge of something they don't.. was their ego challenged? -or- is it because they really do not want to know?" Is this the same for a lot of people?   My wheels were turning, and then I thought; what are the consequences of NOT knowing this information? If people knew that animals grazed on GMO crops and were get...

    Why is it that I have to constantly repeat myself day in and day out and my children still do not listen? I often wonder what it would take for that magic number to appear -- will it be the 11,357th time when it will finally CLICK and they will do as they are told. This morning as I am walking around the house, I pick up after them and my blood starts to boil and then I suddenly stopped. I looked around and instead of getting frustrated today I start to wonder. One day this will all be gone! one day I will wake up but this time I won't HAVE to get up to get them out of the house and off to school. I won't have to pick their clothes off the floor. I won't have to clean the toothpaste off of the sink. I won't have to pack their lunch or make them breakfast. Lastly, we won't be rushing to get their shoes on as we stumble out the front door and run to catch the bus.  One day they will be off to college and the house will be quiet, just me and my thoughts. ...