Yes.

I’m wondering about what to blog about today.

To be quite honest, I’ve written 122 blog posts concerning the Inner Game Of PKD, and how to attain a higher quality of life while on the PKD Odyssey.

122 blog posts seems a reasonable number.

On many of these posts, I  have invited the readers to contact me to discuss any aspects of the posts I have written.

While I have had a number of fine, heart-felt responses, only one person actually showed some curiosity of how Life Coaching might provide benefits.

One person in well over a year.

OK. I may not be the best blog writer in the world, but in all honesty, I thought I touched upon some real issues concerning living with PKD that the medical profession usually don’t address.

Have I missed the mark?

Have all these posts merely been a writing exercise for me?

I guess what I’m asking is,

What do I have to do to encourage you to be curious as to how Life Coaching can benefit you?

Since everyone is different, I can’t really give a generic answer, other than those I have shared on these blog posts.

It would be a real shame if someone could be helped by working with me, but was too reluctant to find out, wouldn’t it?

Maybe you are having some issues of life that are holding you back from enjoying a full, high-quality life.

What is the advantage of holding the suffering in, when there might be a possible solution that will release you from thoughts and beliefs that are holding you back?

You never know how a simple, but deep conversation may change your whole perspective on your situation.

How many times have you had a conversation with a friend, and in the course of the conversation, you saw a certain situation in a whole new light?

Do you remember how much your perception broadened?

I offer that kind of conversation on the subject of your individual experience of living with PKD.

I don’t know of too many people who are willing to listen to how you actually experience living with PKD, and can work with you to see your experience in that new light.

Yes. I am a professional Coach.

I do charge a fee.

But I first offer a complimentary, no-obligation telephone “Getting-to-know-you” conversation to determine if we are an “energy match.”

If nothing else, you’ll be talking to a fellow traveler on the PKD Odyssey, and so will I!

So, once again, I invite you to contact me at:

info@innergameofpkd.com

and set up an appointment for our complimentary telephone conversation.

It be interesting, enlightening, and perhaps, a lot of fun as well!

Hope to hear from you soon!

Peace and Blessings!

Coach Richie Perl

Certified Professional Coach

Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming

By now, most of you are aware of how your beliefs affect your attitude and how you interact with the world.

It’s Henry Ford’s famous quote,

If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right!”

Many of you have “believed” that you can overcome the limitations of PKD and experience a high quality of life, and you have!

And some of you go and do what you need to do with an attitude of “impending doom.”

There was a time when I walked around like that.

Not cool!

Now, again, I’m not saying that having an attitude of “positive expectation” will, in and of itself, guarantee all favorable outcomes.

The negative aspects of PKD are many and they are potentially life-threatening, despite what “they” say that PKD is not a “death sentence.”

We have all seen those stories of people with incredible “handicaps” overcome them and go on to amazing achievements. I don’t know about you, but what these people achieve put me to shame.

What do these people “believe,” and how do they apply their life-enhancing beliefs to their personal situations?

Quite honestly, I don’t know.

But I do know this: They don’t allow “negative beliefs” to take hold in their minds.

If you feel that your PKD will lead you to a life of suffering and limitation, well, according to Mr. Ford, you may be right!

But if you think that, in 2010, with the medical advance that we’re privileged to have access to (at least many of us. I know the health insurance situation is still an issue.), you can consciously develop the belief that you will live a full and high quality life.

Again, this doesn’t provide a guarantee.

But, come on. Who would people rather be around…Eeyore, the depressed donkey, or Goofy, who enthusiastically tries every sport?

And for heaven’s sake, if you are a parent of a child with PKD, don’t communicate your fears, consciously or unconsciously to your child. Precautions, yes. Fears, no.

If you sense that you are traveling the PKD Odyssey burdened not only with the physical aspects of the disease, but also with a sense of pessimism, please write to me at:

info@innergameofpkd.com .

There are mind games that can be played to help you change your negative beliefs to empowering ones.

Ans even if you’re “negative” about that, contact me anyway. What have you got to lose? Pessimism? I’d take that chance!

Believe it, or not!

Peace and Blessings!

Coach Richie Perl

Certified Professional Coach

Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming

Many of us have seen “newbies” on the various Social Media venues sharing their stories of being diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease, telling of the shock and fear they experienced, also sharing the experiences of family members who have the disease, relating how awful the disease for them.

And we read these these accounts, we nod our heads in sad agreement. To a large extent, we all have a similar story to share.

And yes. There is shock, and fear, and sadness. Rightly so. A diagnosis of PKD is not a trivial event.

Now, as you have no doubt read, it’s not so much what happens to you that matters, as how you respond to what happens to you.

If you inherited the disease, the framework of how you respond to your PKD is largely determined by the experiences and responses of your parents.

If they experienced reasonably good outcomes, and were consistently optimistic, there’s a good chance you will respond in an optimistic way.

If, on the other hand, you witnessed real hardship, you will tend to tell yourself a story about your disease that may be on the pessimistic side.

Knowing that we humans have the capability of “talking ourselves” into almost anything, telling yourself a fearful, pessimistic story will only serve to strengthen negative, disempowering beliefs about the kind of life you will live with PKD.

The good news is that you have the power to develop a story of hope, optimism, and courage, picturing positive outcomes for your life.

Seek out people with PKD who have positive “stories” to tell. People who have found the “positive attitude” to successfully cope with their limitations.

The stories we tell ourselves are actually that — stories. They are not totally based on facts. We can’t predict the future.

But, through your story, you can direct affect your attitude concerning your disease. An optimistic story leads to an optimistic attitude.

It doesn’t cost anything to tell yourself a positive story.

So why not sit down and write a story of how you will cope and adapt to the ups and downs of your PKD Odyssey.

And keep “talking yourself” into optimism and hope!

After all, it can’t hurt!

So, what’s YOUR story?

Peace and Blessings!

Coach Richie Perl

Certified Professional Coach

Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming

OK. You have PKD.

It sucks.

You want “Mommy to kiss it and make it go away.”

You dread the life that you believe you may have to live.

You dread going on dialysis.

You fear being alone and not being understood as to possible limitations.

You know what?

You have every right to feel those fears and “dreads.”

So, now that you feel them, now what?

Are you going to “wallow” in those fears?

Are you going to have a lifelong “pity party?”

Well, you can. It’s not against the law.

But how helpful is it for you?

It isn’t.

You know “attitude is everything.”

You also know that a “negative” attitude can be transformed into a “positive” attitude.

Believing that you can overcome many of the limitations of PKD is the first step to doing so.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not one of those people who will tell you to “just believe” and everything will come out fantastic for you.

Not in the least.

What I am saying is to give yourself the gift of time.

In that time, write down as precisely as you can your fears and dreads.

Let them “all hang out.” Everything you’re scared of. Even if some fears are not related to PKD at all.

A few days later, read back what you wrote as objectively as possible.

Perhaps, if you dare, you could share it with someone you trust and who is objective.

The objective is to determine which of your fears are “rational,” like, “I’m afraid that I might not be able to pursue the career I want.” which in fact MAY be the case for you, and which of your fears are “irrational,” like “I’m afraid I won’t be able to have loving relationships because of my disease.” which, based on many people’s experience, is hardly a realistic fear. (I have found that your ability to have loving relationships is not based on the fact of your PKD, but the nature of your overall personality.)

Once you have determined which fears are “real” and which are not, determine to overcome the fears which you no longer need!

I know that doesn’t sound like the easiest thing to do.

It isn’t.

But it’s very possible, by seeking evidence in your own life and other’s that these fears CAN be overcome.

Yes. Doing this will involve some emotional risk.

Like taking the initiative to reach out and ask for companionship by offering your own friendship. (A much easier task in this day of Facebook and message boards!)

But, life is about about taking chances. You won’t always win, but if you don’t take chances, you’ll always lose.

Yes. PKD sucks. But don’t make it worse than it actually is by “needless” fears.

If you need assistance in discerning “rational” fears from “irrational” fears, I invite you to contact me at:

info@innergameofpkd.com .

Don’t let false beliefs limit you!

Peace and Blessings!

Coach Richie Perl
Certified Professional Coach

Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming