Larry Freeborg

Always AT Choice: Strategies for Moving on After the Death of a Spouse or Life Trauma By Larry Freeborg Wisdom for Finding Your Way Forward in Life, Love, Relationships and Business By Recognizing Your Choice Points Plus Tools for Communicating, Coping, Transcending and Thriving Larry Freeborg remembers the day vividly when he realized he was not powerless in the face of total despair and grief. It happened when he was in the “psych ward” after the death of his 39-year-old wife from leukemia, leaving him with four young children, right as his company eliminated his job, and the economy was in a tailspin with 8% unemployment. Not being able to face the world, he asked his parents to look after his children and sought treatment. Based on his beliefs and his upbringing, he could see nothing but the bleak prospect of a life dictated to long hours of corporate work, followed by coming home to cook, clean, and attend to his children with no relief. His anger boiled over. But a steadfast nurse arrived as he was railing “It’s not a choice. I have to take care of my kids!” Patiently and respectfully, she told him there was always a choice. She offered alternatives—have his parents step in permanently, send the kids to boarding schools, and other options. Then, she pointed out that if he kept his kids at home, there were other options than him doing the cooking—hire someone to cook for the kids, purchase prepared meals or teach his kids to cook. Finally, it dawned on him—every moment offered a choice. He was ALWAYS AT CHOICE. That was the turning point for Larry, when he took back his life and started moving forward at 40. He is now 86 and has penned a book that richly compiles his life-long learnings from that point forward. Always At Choice: Strategies for Moving on After the Death of a Spouse or Life Trauma is for those who have known grief, pain and suffering and can’t see to a future of freedom. In fact, that is the theme of the book cover, a ship in full sail, leaving the storm for the sunshine into freedom and peace. It was artwork he created while still institutionalized. It symbolized where he was headed Larry went on to have a highly successful corporate career in marketing for 3M Company and Medtronic and then as an acclaimed life and business transformation coach under the name of his company: Stepping Through the Gate. After overcoming emotional hurdles using the tools in the book, he later remarried a woman, Dodie, whom his children adored. The resources in the book also helped him communicate more effectively with his children who grew into successful and happy adults. Just before publication, his beloved wife Dodie passed, but he is moving forward with optimism and gratitude. Larry’s book isn’t just for people who have lost someone. It’s a manual filled with practical life wisdom for personal and professional fulfillment. He offers insights on: Values – How to get grounded on personal values, the foundation for moving forward Accountability and responsibility – How to get clear about what you’re accountable and responsible for, and what you’re not Capitalizing on your natural gifts and talents – A framework for joy, satisfaction and fulfillment in your life’s work Managing your emotional mood – the importance of mood management on influencing action Effective communication skills that lead to the results you want – how to manage promises Learning from your body’s messages – becoming aware of what the body is telling you and how to manage it Accepting and coming to terms with loss of any kind Discovering how to work your way through fear The miracles of equine therapy that produces breakthroughs (in which he is now a certified guide) Dealing with your inner judge and saboteurs and reducing their negative impact on performance Establishing priorities – a process that helps identify and work on the 20% that makes 80% of the difference