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September 20
PRESS RELEASE
9/20/08
G. Scott Graham
802-380-1026
sgraham@trueazimuth.biz
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Life Coach Receives National Certification
Scott Graham of West Fairlee, Vermont successfully completed the examination process with the National Federation of Personal Trainers and has received Certification as a Personal Trainer. The certification will allow Graham, a relationship and personal coach, to better serve clients by integrating healthy lifestyle recommendations into the coaching process.
"Most people readily acknowledge that our personal life impacts our relationship life and vise versa and this interaction is a significant focus in my coaching practice," says Graham. "Certification as a Personal Trainer allows me to take this one step further: how we treat our body impacts our relationship life and our relationship life impacts the choices we make to take care of our body."
According to the Mayo Clinic, regular exercise helps not only to combat chronic disease and improve heart and lung capacity but it also enhances sleep, improves your mood and gives you more energy. What person committed to a insuring and building better relationship with their partner wouldnt want that?
True Azimuth, LLC, headquartered in West Fairlee, Vermont, began offering business, personal and relationship coaching in 2006. For more information about the coaching, call Coach Scott at 802-380-1026 or go to his website, http://TrueAzimuth.biz.
The National Federation of Personal Trainers, headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, has been certifying personal trainers since 1988. Their Standard Personal Trainer Certification program curriculum is currently being taught in several colleges across the country and their Certification process has third-party accreditation through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accreditation
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August 10
Early on in our relationship, Brian & I decided we needed to create a ritual to celebrate our commitment as well as be a role model for others.
Role model was not the word we used at the time. We wanted to let others know two men could have a loving, committed, monogamous relationship. We used the word "prove".
We also wanted others to celebrate our commitment with us.
Trouble is, there are not the support structures / public rituals in place for gay couples like there are for straight couples.
We didn't want to do some knock-off or impression act either.
What to do?
After some consideration and discussion we decided upon a Time Capsule. We would create a Time Capsule every ten years. Then for our 50th Anniversary, we would have a big party to crack open the first four and build the fifth. Core to each Time Capsule would be letters from people currently in our lives.
Notice its not letters from friends that we are seeking to include in the Time Capsule. Not that we don't want letters from friends - we do. But we decided we would not seek out long lost friends for letters. We wanted each Time Capsule to be a reflection of our lives at the time each Time Capsule was created.
It was the perfect solution. First it created a way for people in our lives to celebrate our commitment as a gay couple. They wouldn't need to remember. They would be reminded when we asked for a Time Capsule letter.
Second it created a way for us to educate our world about our relationship. How awkward is it to go up to someone and say, "I've been in a gay relationship for 20 years, would you like to congratulate and celebrate with me -- where's my card?" How much easier is it to say, "We are building a Time Capsule and I was wondering if you'd like to write a letter." They will inevitably ask, "Why are you assembling a Time Capsule?" and the conversion naturally flows and opens up.
Third the process intrigued people and brought them together around the topic of gay relationships -- particularly when they heard our plan to have a big party for our 50th Anniversary to crack open the first four Time Capsules and build the fifth.
A gay couple? Together for 50 years?
You bet!
Role model was not the word we used at the time. We wanted to let others know two men could have a loving, committed, monogamous relationship. We used the word "prove".
We also wanted others to celebrate our commitment with us.
Trouble is, there are not the support structures / public rituals in place for gay couples like there are for straight couples.
We didn't want to do some knock-off or impression act either.
What to do?
After some consideration and discussion we decided upon a Time Capsule. We would create a Time Capsule every ten years. Then for our 50th Anniversary, we would have a big party to crack open the first four and build the fifth. Core to each Time Capsule would be letters from people currently in our lives.
Notice its not letters from friends that we are seeking to include in the Time Capsule. Not that we don't want letters from friends - we do. But we decided we would not seek out long lost friends for letters. We wanted each Time Capsule to be a reflection of our lives at the time each Time Capsule was created.
It was the perfect solution. First it created a way for people in our lives to celebrate our commitment as a gay couple. They wouldn't need to remember. They would be reminded when we asked for a Time Capsule letter.
Second it created a way for us to educate our world about our relationship. How awkward is it to go up to someone and say, "I've been in a gay relationship for 20 years, would you like to congratulate and celebrate with me -- where's my card?" How much easier is it to say, "We are building a Time Capsule and I was wondering if you'd like to write a letter." They will inevitably ask, "Why are you assembling a Time Capsule?" and the conversion naturally flows and opens up.
Third the process intrigued people and brought them together around the topic of gay relationships -- particularly when they heard our plan to have a big party for our 50th Anniversary to crack open the first four Time Capsules and build the fifth.
A gay couple? Together for 50 years?
You bet!
July 27
On the Vipassana Retreat the teacher kept repeating this phrase, "Accept things as they really are not as you would like them to be."
This is not just a perspective to bring to meditation, but a perspective to bring to life. Certainly it is a perspective to bring to one's relationship.
We meet someone, fall in love, create this image of them in our heads - which may or may not match up with reality - then propose a commitment of some sort - dating, moving in together, marriage / civil union / legal agreements.
Then we create this image of a life together in our heads - which may or may not match up with reality. We build a whole story where we are the star and all our wishes come true - which may or may not match up with reality.
If you are like most couples I know or have worked with, you don't discuss this idol you have built of your boyfriend -- you don't discuss the stage play you are writing with you as the star. But you act as if what is in your head matches up with reality. And you get so agitated whenever anything goes against this.
He is great. I just wish...
he didn't smoke cigarettes
he didn't smoke pot
he'd lose weight
he'd like dogs
he'd share his feelings more
he'd go out more
he'd be into the outdoors
The list goes on.
And on.
And on.
"Accept things as they really are not as you would like them to be."
Now I am not suggesting that you turn into jelly and let your partner walk all over you. Communication & compromise are key elements in a relationship.
I am suggesting that you talk and share your images and screen plays so they match reality - working out the differences. Asserting yourself. In the infancy of your relationship. You will avoid so many problems.
This is not just a perspective to bring to meditation, but a perspective to bring to life. Certainly it is a perspective to bring to one's relationship.
We meet someone, fall in love, create this image of them in our heads - which may or may not match up with reality - then propose a commitment of some sort - dating, moving in together, marriage / civil union / legal agreements.
Then we create this image of a life together in our heads - which may or may not match up with reality. We build a whole story where we are the star and all our wishes come true - which may or may not match up with reality.
If you are like most couples I know or have worked with, you don't discuss this idol you have built of your boyfriend -- you don't discuss the stage play you are writing with you as the star. But you act as if what is in your head matches up with reality. And you get so agitated whenever anything goes against this.
He is great. I just wish...
he didn't smoke cigarettes
he didn't smoke pot
he'd lose weight
he'd like dogs
he'd share his feelings more
he'd go out more
he'd be into the outdoors
The list goes on.
And on.
And on.
"Accept things as they really are not as you would like them to be."
Now I am not suggesting that you turn into jelly and let your partner walk all over you. Communication & compromise are key elements in a relationship.
I am suggesting that you talk and share your images and screen plays so they match reality - working out the differences. Asserting yourself. In the infancy of your relationship. You will avoid so many problems.
July 13
I recently completed a Vipassana meditation course. Ten solid days of practice. Solid because when day one starts at 4:30am, you are in the meditation hall practicing. Solid because when day ten ends at 9:00pm, you are in the meditation hall practicing. Truth be told its really twelve days. You arrive at 4:00pm on day zero for room assignment, unpacking and orientation -- formally starting at 8:00pm. You leave on day eleven after morning practice and closing dhamma talk.
Its hard work - but so beneficial.
I am so grateful to be in a relationship with a man that not only accepts my spiritual path, but supports it. And not just with words.
Twelve days (eight business days) is quite a chunk of time to be away in comunicado (there is no outside communication during a course -- you can't even talk to others on course -- no reading, writing -- just meditation). Besides managing our household solo, Brian manages incoming calls for coaching, trainings, etc., that I get while away. Plus the financial impact: as a self-employed business coach / relationship coach / life coach, being on a a Vipassana meditation course for twelve days means no income for twelve days.
And I have been doing this twice each year now: sitting a course in the Spring and serving a course in the Fall. (Each course happens only through the generosity of time by old students like myself).
That means twenty-four days each year. Almost one month.
His support consists of so much more than words.
I am so grateful.
This support is one of the keystones in our relationship. We make no effort to keep the ship tied to the dock instead we put energy into making our ship sea worthy so it can withstand high seas and and monitor the weather of our relationship to navigate around storms.
So many couples are out to change each other:
"You need to do this."
"You need to do that."
There is little room for the individual's personal path.
I think that comes about from fear. The fear that our spouse will meet someone else -- someone better. Or that our spouse will change and leave us behind.
These couples put all their energy into keeping the ship tied to the dock instead of putting energy into making the ship sea worthy so it can withstand high seas or monitoring the weather to navigate around storms.
Other couples pay no attention either way. They put no energy into keeping the ship tied to the dock nor put energy into making the ship sea worthy so it can withstand high seas and monitor the weather to navigate around storms.
Three different models for support. Three different outcomes.
Which describes the type of relationship you want to be in? And, more importantly, which describes the type of relationship you are in?
Its hard work - but so beneficial.
I am so grateful to be in a relationship with a man that not only accepts my spiritual path, but supports it. And not just with words.
Twelve days (eight business days) is quite a chunk of time to be away in comunicado (there is no outside communication during a course -- you can't even talk to others on course -- no reading, writing -- just meditation). Besides managing our household solo, Brian manages incoming calls for coaching, trainings, etc., that I get while away. Plus the financial impact: as a self-employed business coach / relationship coach / life coach, being on a a Vipassana meditation course for twelve days means no income for twelve days.
And I have been doing this twice each year now: sitting a course in the Spring and serving a course in the Fall. (Each course happens only through the generosity of time by old students like myself).
That means twenty-four days each year. Almost one month.
His support consists of so much more than words.
I am so grateful.
This support is one of the keystones in our relationship. We make no effort to keep the ship tied to the dock instead we put energy into making our ship sea worthy so it can withstand high seas and and monitor the weather of our relationship to navigate around storms.
So many couples are out to change each other:
"You need to do this."
"You need to do that."
There is little room for the individual's personal path.
I think that comes about from fear. The fear that our spouse will meet someone else -- someone better. Or that our spouse will change and leave us behind.
These couples put all their energy into keeping the ship tied to the dock instead of putting energy into making the ship sea worthy so it can withstand high seas or monitoring the weather to navigate around storms.
Other couples pay no attention either way. They put no energy into keeping the ship tied to the dock nor put energy into making the ship sea worthy so it can withstand high seas and monitor the weather to navigate around storms.
Three different models for support. Three different outcomes.
Which describes the type of relationship you want to be in? And, more importantly, which describes the type of relationship you are in?
June 30
Hello everybody...
I am back after a brief hiatus this Spring. I use the word hiatus because it was not a struggle with procrastination or other personal issues to be dealt with & managed more effectively. It was a result of a choice to cultivate some new areas -- namely Hikes with Scott and renew some old areas -- like financial planner education. Plus there is Compass.
Hikes with Scott is going well -- I've met some great gay men. And I am getting more fit. The Presidential Traverse in July will be cake!
I am moving ahead with my financial planning education -- a critical issue for many people and a good constellation of skills to add to my coaching toolbox.
Then there's Compass -- our Jack Russell Terror -- I mean Jack Russell Terrier -- puppy. Brian wants to breed her, so we have been laying the foundation so that when Compass is ready-to-go, we are ready-to-go.
Changes.
Changes.
Changes.
They can pose a BIG challenge for couples.
Not for us.
We have done preventative maintenance with a professional. Interestingly most couples don't do this. They treat their car better than their relationship.
When is the last time you took your relationship in to a professional for a tune up? When is the last time you took your life in to a professional for a balance & alignment?
Sure you do do things in your relationship -- dinners, concerts, recreation. These are important -- very important -- but they are like washing & waxing your car -- or cleaning the interior -- or getting your oil changed -- or putting fuel in your gas tank. They keep your relationship running. They keep outside forces -- like relationship rust -- at bay. That's all.
Just like any car owner would not mistake these basic tasks as enhancing their car's performance or preventing problems, don't mistake these actions as enhancing your relationship performance or preventing relationship problems.
Most people acknowledge the result of neglecting preventative maintenance on their car is disaster. Expensive repairs. Breakdowns. Towing. Accidents.
Most people don't wait until they rear end someone to have the brakes checked. Most people don't wait until they hydroplane off the road on a rainy day to have their tires checked.
Unfortunately most people ignore preventative maintenance with their relationships.
They take action only after a breakdown or accident.
Cars end up towed for body work or an engine rebuild -- if they aren't totaled.
Relationships end up in therapy or in a lawyer's office working out issues like child custody and who gets the house -- if they aren't totaled.
What professional preventative maintenance are you doing? Where will your relationship end up?
I am back after a brief hiatus this Spring. I use the word hiatus because it was not a struggle with procrastination or other personal issues to be dealt with & managed more effectively. It was a result of a choice to cultivate some new areas -- namely Hikes with Scott and renew some old areas -- like financial planner education. Plus there is Compass.
Hikes with Scott is going well -- I've met some great gay men. And I am getting more fit. The Presidential Traverse in July will be cake!
I am moving ahead with my financial planning education -- a critical issue for many people and a good constellation of skills to add to my coaching toolbox.
Then there's Compass -- our Jack Russell Terror -- I mean Jack Russell Terrier -- puppy. Brian wants to breed her, so we have been laying the foundation so that when Compass is ready-to-go, we are ready-to-go.
Changes.
Changes.
Changes.
They can pose a BIG challenge for couples.
Not for us.
We have done preventative maintenance with a professional. Interestingly most couples don't do this. They treat their car better than their relationship.
When is the last time you took your relationship in to a professional for a tune up? When is the last time you took your life in to a professional for a balance & alignment?
Sure you do do things in your relationship -- dinners, concerts, recreation. These are important -- very important -- but they are like washing & waxing your car -- or cleaning the interior -- or getting your oil changed -- or putting fuel in your gas tank. They keep your relationship running. They keep outside forces -- like relationship rust -- at bay. That's all.
Just like any car owner would not mistake these basic tasks as enhancing their car's performance or preventing problems, don't mistake these actions as enhancing your relationship performance or preventing relationship problems.
Most people acknowledge the result of neglecting preventative maintenance on their car is disaster. Expensive repairs. Breakdowns. Towing. Accidents.
Most people don't wait until they rear end someone to have the brakes checked. Most people don't wait until they hydroplane off the road on a rainy day to have their tires checked.
Unfortunately most people ignore preventative maintenance with their relationships.
They take action only after a breakdown or accident.
Cars end up towed for body work or an engine rebuild -- if they aren't totaled.
Relationships end up in therapy or in a lawyer's office working out issues like child custody and who gets the house -- if they aren't totaled.
What professional preventative maintenance are you doing? Where will your relationship end up?
No one has said anything...yet.
| Website: | |
| Company Overview: | Provides a variety of tools and services to help gay couples build a solid, winning relationship. |
| Mission: | Coaching Gay Couples from Good to Great! |
| Products: | Free program for gay couples (Don't Just Survive, Thrive!) Gay Couples Blog Relationship Empowerment Workbook Tele-Group Coaching for Gay Couples Weekend Intensive for Gay Couples Relationship Coaching for Gay Couples |