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"Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, 'Grow, grow.' "
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--The Talmud
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Contact Pete for a
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Who is Pete?
My family emigrated from Holland to the United States in 1960. We came to Seattle, where I grew up and continued to live until early adulthood. As a child I learned how to swim in Greenlake, spent many years driving on the arterials and freeways when there was no traffic, (I actually played on Interstate 5 when it was being built) and still remember having to pay a toll to cross 520. That makes me about as close to a native Seattleite as you will find. I worked in the restaurant business for many years, beginning with washing dishes in a coffee shop when I started college and ending up managing several restaurants in the area. I always wanted to live in a sunnier environment, so I started looking for a job that would take me to another part of the country. I took a job with a major corporation, where I worked for almost 20 years. Through my work I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to live in many parts of the U.S. and travel extensively throughout the world. By experiencing life in so many different places, I moved back to Seattle with an appreciation for all that this city has to offer. During the last decade I felt that something was missing from my life. I spent those years knowing that I wanted something different than what I had, but I didn’t know how to figure out what I wanted or how to get it. I had spent years working in training, even though it had never been specifically designated as part of my job description. In 1996 I became a certified training specialist through a program at the University of Washington. However, when it came to leaving the security of my job, fear stepped in and I settled back into my comfort zone. Then came September 11, a day that changed many lives, including my own. My job security disappeared and so did my comfort zone. In time I came to realize that things would stay the same until I made a decision to change them. Instead of wishing that my life was different, I became clear about what I wanted and took action to make it happen. Making a decision to complete my career change, I attended and became a certified professional coach through The Academy for Coach Training, which is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF). Making a contribution and living life with passion is the most important and best decision that I have ever made. Because I was willing to move forward, I am experiencing a sense of freedom by being open to new possibilities and opportunities. I have learned to trust myself and make responsible choices. My purpose is to guide others in finding the key to defining and living what freedom is for them. |
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