Archive for Personal
New Experiences
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Last night as I was writing in the gratitude journal shared with my daughter, I asked a “coach-like” question about her 3rd grade year. With today being the last official day of school, I thought it would be fun to hear her answer. As I let the question out, I held my breath hoping she would be willing to answer on a deeper level, rather than the usual one word responses I typically receive. 
To my surprise, she was eager, willing and ready to fully engage with me. It brought joy to my Mom’s heart and stirred the coach in me to get ready to be curious! So here’s how our conversation went.
I asked, “If you could use one word to describe your 3rd grade year, what would it be?”
She thought for a few seconds and then wondered, “Can it be two words?”
Excited to hear her answer, I said, “Absolutely.”
She shared, “New experiences.”
Wow, I thought! That’s deep and meaningful from a not-quite ten-year old. I wanted to know more so I put on my coach hat and said, “What are some of the new experiences that you’ve had this year?”
Her answers made me smile and become teary-eyed. I asked her permission to share these with you and here’s what she said:
- New friends.
- New math concepts; multiplication and division.
- Language arts; reading and writing.
- Math enrichment.
- Student council.
- P.E. was super duper fun this year; I liked doing all of the new sports, but football, not so much.
By reading this list, I’m sure you can glean a little bit about who my daughter is. She loves to read and write, is a bright girl, is an emerging leader, and loves to be physical and engage in sports. She’s a fan of math and plans to use her intelligence to become a veterinarian some day.
What is more profound than her answers is the fact that she has overcome many hurdles in her short life. In her earlier years, we spent many hours working with specialists to help her with endocrinology issues, sensory integration challenges, gastroenterology problems and some other delays. So who she is today is even more significant with these additional facts.
This conversation with her is very meaningful for me on many levels. The mother in me is proud of her for persevering and I am humbled that I have the privilege of nurturing this young girl’s spirit. The coach in me is inspired by the dreams that are developing within her and passionate about holding her bigger vision as I shepherd her heart and dreams in the coming years.
It’s ironic how all of this points to the integration in my personal and professional life. Not only is today a celebration for my family because of the end of 3rd grade, but it’s also the 4-year birthday of Inner Wisdom Coaching Services and the 1-year birthday of this blog. So, I am also celebrating professionally with this month’s team newsletter with the theme of Dreams & Visions Made Real. If you aren’t already subscribed to this newsletter, be sure to check it out because we are offering a huge discount on our “Making Dreams Real” coaching packages for you and your friends, family and colleagues.
So now I’m curious about you. What are the new experiences you are grateful for? And what are the bigger dreams that are evolving from these new experiences?
I invite you to take time to ponder these questions as you join me in the celebrations of the season. I’d love to read your comments so be sure to share at the blog at www.shannonbruce.com.
“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you did not do than by the things you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain
Photo compliments of Photo Express © Nat Ulrich
It’s Official! The Birth of a Blog
Posted by: | CommentsYes! This blog website is officially being released into the world today. Please join me in celebrating the birth of another facet of the vision that’s within my heart. It’s been a long time coming and finally, the caterpillar has left the cocoon to become the beautiful butterfly ready to fly free. I’m so glad that you are joining me here today and that I have the honor and privilege of partnering with you through this blog to provide you with wisdom, inspiration and calling forth to all that’s possible for you.
It’s been quite an adventure! My plan was to have it launched by the first of June but obviously, just like the caterpillar becoming a butterfly, these things cannot be rushed. It’s been an emotional journey as I’ve been pushed and stretched beyond my comfort zone to grow beyond the borders of my safety net.
As you can tell, butterflies are a powerful symbol to me! They represent the transformational journey that is often painful, yet incredible as something beautiful, true and amazing is released on the other side of the struggle.
You’ll find images of butterflies throughout this blog; the picture above is actually the front of a card I received from my dear friend and colleague Paige Harris who blessed me with the reminder that on the other side of the comfort zone represents the life of freedom that I desire.
When you look at these butterflies today, remember there are many of these within you ready to break free of the cocoon to fly free.
I do hope you’ll sign up to receive this blog in your inbox. It’s my commitment to post at least three times per week and to provide insightful and practical information that will help Entreprenuers and Mompreneurs create thriving lives and profitable businesses. Even if you don’t own a business, you will find value here for your journey as a Woman!
As I close this first “official” post, I’d like to end by sharing the beautiful words that were written in the card Paige sent me. These thoughts speak to the journey of transformation as you boldly and courageously go after your authentic life’s vision.
Excerpt from “He Still Moves” by Max Lucado
“There is a rawness and wonder to life. Pursue it. Hunt for it. Sell out to get it. Don’t listen to the whines of those who have settled for a second-rate life and want you to do the same so they won’t feel guilty. Your goal is not to live long; it’s to live.”
“Jesus says the options are clear. On one side there is the voice of safety. You can build a fire in a hearth, stay inside, and stay warm, dry and safe…”
“Or you can hear the voice of adventure–God’s adventure. Instead of building a fire in your hearth, build a fire in your heart. Follow God’s impulses. Adopt the child. Move overseas. Teach the class. Change careers. Run for office. Make a difference. Sure it isn’t safe, but what is?”
Welcome to the adventure!
Welcome to My Blogging Adventure
Posted by: | CommentsWhat a wild ride it is to be an Entrepreneur!
Let me just say welcome to the adventure as you join me into this whole new world of blogging. Here I go again stretching and growing. It seems to be the path for all of us on some level because our country and world are going through a powerful shift. And for those of you who are Entrepreneurs you know that ongoing learning is essential if you’re going to create a thriving life and profitable business. Ironically, change is the one thing you can actually count on!
Back in October, I sat in a workshop about blogging and technology and was overwhelmed. I felt like the “deer in headlights” and decided to bury my head in the sand. Eight months later, you might be wondering why I decided to step out of my comfort zone to embark on this path.
As I’ve watched the evolution of technology and the emphasis on social media, I knew I needed to do something different. I didn’t want to “miss the boat” and find myself on the path to insanity which is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results.
So I opened my heart and started exploring from a place of curiosity. I did what every wise entrepreneur does and I partnered with others for support because I knew I couldn’t do it alone. And here I am, a month or so shy of giving birth to this next “baby” that I will nurture and support along the way.
One thing about me is that I consider myself a “Mompreneur” because being a Mom is my first priority, second to my passion of transforming the lives of women through the power of coaching. When I first had my daughter back in 2000, she was finally diagnosed with a acid reflux after several months of knowing something was wrong with her. I remember her pediatrician at the time telling me “it takes a tribe to raise these children”.
Little did I know that it would take a tribe to lead this entrepreneurial vision! I am so grateful that you are joining me here and that you will be a part of the tribe that will nurture this “baby” blog as we all grow and stretch while becoming all of who we are to be in this world. There’s so much in store for you here as we build this community and create lives of passion, purpose and prosperity.
So stay tuned and keep checking back because there’s more to come! If you want to know more about me and my work, you can also visit http://www.yourgreaterpurpose.com because that baby is now three years old. When you sign up for our newsletter there you will be assured of receiving the blog birth announcement!
All my best to you,
Shannon
