Lessons from a 17yr old

One of the many things that are important to me is to stay real and authentic.
Whilst I have educational credentials it’s the lived experience that matters the most to me, not only in how I show up but I seek out the lived experiences in those I want to collaborate with and bring on board too.
It’s easy to read books, sit in lectures, buy degrees and even attend workshops but all that does is equip you with skills so that when life kicks you in the butt you know what to do to overcome the situations you are in or help someone else.
The work is never done, it’s always learn, practice, apply.
When life is smooth sailing there’s not much to do but when a storm hits, when it’s unpredictable and at first you don’t know what to do that’s where having someone on your boat that knows what to do, that’s safely sailed out of the storm is important.
I often hear “well you’re a coach you must know everything, things must be good for you”
I get told I should have a more corporate style, look more professional, model off other coaches.
Not a chance, it’s not me. Who I am makes my role as coach not the other way around.
I am a real person, working with real people experiencing real life.
Let me share this with you from my personal FB page and take a glimpse into real life.  This is a post from Late November '18' after my daughter had been MIA for 5 days.
I am human, my life gets real AF, I am tested just as much as you are. I just have a unique set of skills to call on to help me navigate life.
Teaching those skills to others is what I love to do.
Grab a drink!🥃☕️
Yesterday I did something I never thought I’d ever do as a parent.
After seeking professional advice, based on no one being able to verbally or physically verify any communication from my daughter and the unfortunate world we live in where random meet ups on the internet are the thing to do it was decided by police that she was to be considered a missing person 💔
By late afternoon she hadn’t responded to any efforts by police to communicate with her. After a few messages sent by police from my phone we got a phone call from her, whilst I was able to verify it was her voice they weren’t satisfied she was safe and her welfare ok so she was to present herself to the nearest police station on the Gold Coast where she said she was. I had a call from police after lunch today to inform me that she had presented herself and was safe.
Her father spoke to her for the first time this evening and she agreed to return home.
The two most FAQ or comments I’ve been receiving during this life changing week have been these. I will address them.
1. Is she on drugs?
I believe my daughter is intelligent enough not to choose to go down that road and my belief is no.
The reality is, the only one who has that answer is her. I’m not going to assume or make a judgement otherwise.
2. “I’m sorry this is happening to you”
Nothing is happening to me. 
My daughter is choosing for herself, everything that is happening is happening to her and for her. This is her life, her choices.
As a mother first, who I am as a woman makes that role. Motherhood is about me and me only.
My character has been tested, my Soul has been learning and I have had to choose how I wanted to show up in all this.
I’ve chosen to practice unconditional love, to trust my mothers instincts and be open.
As a parent (which is all about them) the whole point is to empower your children with the skills they need and a good grounding of values and beliefs so when they go out into the world on their own and begin the unraveling in order to become who THEY choose to be.
Whilst I may not agree with how she has gone about this particular break away and it’s her character that has also been tested she really is doing what I raised her to do.
I wanted to raise empowered young women who would be curious about the world, who would question everything and choose for themselves.
The letting go is always the biggest challenge.
The Ritual of Change™ has begun for both of us and we will either complete it and evolve or stay still until life begins the process again.
I feel so much love and peace now.