Archive for Pursuing Dreams
Fears and Faith – Stepping into the Unknown
Posted by: | Comments
Do you remember how you felt when you were very young and your birthday approached? You were excited and anxious. You knew you would certainly receive gifts and other special treats. But some things would be a surprise. It wasn’t a question of “if” you would receive anything; instead the question you pondered was actually “what?”
Imagine that you held this same perspective around the “unknown”? What if you took that step out of your comfort zone and instead of fearing the unknown outcome, you had faith that there was a gift awaiting you on the other side. Just as birthdays combine assurance and anticipation so does faith!
In my early morning Facebook posting yesterday, a dialogue on the topic of faith began. Here’s how it went:
Shannon – “Faith is learning to be OK with the unknown. It’s learning to embrace the “I don’t know” and seeing this as the open door to the many possibilities that are beyond what you could ever hope for or imagine.”
Friend #1 – “Living in the unknown also increases your faith…it’s all divine. 
”
Friend #2 – “I’m intrigued and interested in learning how to be more faithful in this regard… The “unknown” frightens me and freezes my ability to act freely.”
Can you relate to Friend #2? I know I can, along with every one of my past, present and future clients!
We all have fears and the truth is these never go away completely. On the other hand, you can turn your fears into excitement when you choose to be courageous and act in spite of them. In doing so, your faith grows because you find the gifts that are available as you step into the unknown. This changes your fears to faith as you let your anticipation for these unknown surprises give you courage along the way.
Here’s what Robert G. Allen suggests around fears and faith as you step into the unknown:
Hold up your hand and assign one letter to each finger:
FEARS = Failure, Embarrassment, Abandonment, Rejection and Success.
How do you over come your fears?
With FAITH.
FAITH = Freedom, Abundance, Inspiration, Triumph, and Happiness.
As you read this post, what’s being stirred in you? What fear will you overcome and what’s the action step of faith that you’ll take today, either in your life or your business?
Living courageously is exhilarating and scary at the same time, and it’s not meant to be done alone! Find a mentor, hire a professional coach, or get an accountability partner.
As a first step, I’d like to challenge you to share your fears and your courageous moves of faith with this community of blog readers. Let’s use this blog as a form of accountability for that one step into the unknown where your surprise gift awaits.
So I’ll start….I’m on a mission to grow my community of newsletter and blog readers and yet I haven’t directly asked for your help. Today I’m moving beyond my fear of embarrassment and rejection and asking you to send this post to 5 of your friends as you invite them to sign up for our blog and newsletter. Why you might ask? I’m looking for 500 new women and Mompreneurs to join our lists as we expand our network and impact with courageous women who are ready to overcome obstacles to discover who they are, as they boldly take action to live their inspired life vision.
Thank you for referring your friends, family and colleagues. Here’s to living courageously, overcoming fears and growing in faith!
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.”—Eleanor Roosevelt
Celebrate and Acknowledge 2009
Posted by: | Comments
I recently had the chance to pause and celebrate my past year and was amazed at all that has happened in 2009. There have been huge milestones like the launch of the new website, blogging and the venture into social media. However, when I looked beyond the obvious I was pleasantly surprised that my year was sprinkled with several small and consistent wins that have made this year a huge success for me, based on what I define as being successful.
So here’s the bottom line. You must make time to celebrate and acknowledge your wins for 2009! Why? Without knowing where you’ve been and what you’ve accomplished, both inside and out, who knows where you’ll end up in 2010. Also, be sure to review your year based on your personal definition of success, not what someone else would consider it to be.
There is a passage from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll which cleverly illustrates why it’s important to know where you are headed in life, especially in this ever changing world we live:
“Cheshire Puss,” she began rather timidly, as she did not know at all whether it would like the name. However, it only grinned a little wider. “Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the cat.
“I don’t much care where,” said Alice.
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the cat.
“So long as I get somewhere,” Alice added as an explanation.
“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the cat, “if you only walk long enough, because if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.”
So in the coming days, block your time and take 60-minutes to Acknowledge 2009, using this tool as your guide. Set your course onto the path that will lead you to what you want to create for 2010! And, if you’re ready to overcome your limitations, discover who you are, and take action toward your inspired life vision, it’s time to schedule your 15-minute complimentary information call to see if partnering with one of our coaches is your next step in the new year!
As your new year blossoms, may the journey of your life be fragrant with new opportunities, your days be bright with new hopes and your heart be happy with love! Happy New Year!
On the Verge of a Breakthrough – 3 Tips to Jumping into your Bigger Game
Posted by: | Comments
Do you sense you’re on the verge of a breakthrough, as if something new is about to emerge? Are you overwhelmed by the internal chaos, unable to stay focused? Perhaps external factors, like the demands of your family, expectations of others and financial obstacles are clouding your vision, keeping you from finding your true path?
You might be shocked by what I’m about to say because it’s counter to what you are probably feeling inside and seeing around you. The truth is that the internal chaos and clouding of your vision are good signs that you are evolving to a new level, where more of your authentic life and bigger game live.
Can this be? Really? I know it’s hard to believe especially when you are far from the internal peace you long for and your current impact is less than what you imagined you’d offer to others. To put this in perspective, think about the natural evolution of the caterpillar who goes through a painful struggle and fight to become the beautiful butterfly it’s meant to be.
This powerful reminder of nature’s breakthrough process is true for you as a human, as long as you make the decision to say “yes”. The only 
difference between you and the butterfly is the power to choose. The caterpillar automatically goes through the process without question, while you on the other hand have the right to decide.
This point of choice is a crossroads of sorts. You can choose to go back to the comfort zone where you know what to expect out of life even though it may not serve your bigger game, or you can say “yes” to the life you desire and are destined to live.
When you say “yes”, here are three tips that will help you jump into your bigger game:
- Be prepared for the discomfort. As you let go of the behaviors, activities and thoughts that keep you stuck, you will feel unsettled, and perhaps angry or disappointed. This is a normal part of the process of letting go so you can get beyond your comfort zone into what’s coming. Fear is also a part of the experience so expect it. And to move through it, remind yourself that courage means “acting in spite of the fear.”
- Find a mentor. This is a wild adventure that you don’t want to go on alone. Find others who are committed to living authentically and get support from them. This is the time to find your inner circle and connect with them as they remind you of who you are and what’s possible as you stand firm on the path forward.
- Focus on the “what” rather than the “how”. Begin to dream about what you desire on the other side of the breakthrough. How will your life be different? What will you be experiencing internally? What is happening externally? Keep your thoughts here because as soon as you attempt to figure out “how” to make it happen it will shut down your ability to vision and dream. Connecting with your heart’s desires about what’s on the other side will give you the courage to stay the course and help you persevere.
This is not an easy process and it’s worth the investment. What awaits you on the other side is the freedom, joy and life that comes as you flit and float about as the beautiful butterfly you are meant to be.
Will you say “yes” to becoming a butterfly? Remember Helen Keller’s words, “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”
Feel free to share how you navigate life when you’re going through this transition phase. Share your comments below or at the blog.
The Question of Destiny
Posted by: | Comments
Purpose, mission, destiny….these latest buzz words are used over and again by coaches, motivational speakers, authors, pastors and more. The question of “What’s your destiny?” may be something you struggle with, just like many others who are seeking the answer to this big question. There’s often angst around the idea of destiny because it’s elusive and not something you can access quickly, or by just reading a book.
There’s a perspective that destiny is the “one thing” you’ll do in your life and once you find it you’re done looking. This is actually misleading and not completely accurate.
According to author Jill Austin, destiny is a progression of cycles and seasons. It happens over time, spanning the decades of your life. Destiny is like a giant tapestry–maybe twelve miles high, twelve miles wide and twelve miles deep. It is multileveled and even more, it is organic and ever changing.
So how do you access your destiny?
- Embrace destiny as the divine journey you are living right now. Shift your perspective from destiny being in the future and something you will do someday when you figure it out. Notice what’s already here and begin to dance in your destiny today.
- Explore your S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality & Experience) to gain insight into your personal destiny and the dreams God wants to fulfill in and through you. Where have you been? What’s the story of your life that is unfolding? Where is this leading you as you use your SHAPE to impact and serve others?
- Refocus your mind to see the bigger dreams that live within you. Don’t let your circumstances distract you, but rather, allow them to guide you today in the present as it connects with the bigger dreams and desires you have within.
Exploring your destiny is an ongoing process of personal evolution that requires an intentional commitment. If you’re looking to discover your God-inspired destiny, our team invites you to join our team for our free informational calls to learn why understanding your destiny is so important. You will also learn more about our upcoming 8-week Christ-centered journey called The Destiny Project Transformational Journey for Women.
Put your destiny in motion today. Dream. Explore. Engage.
What’s being stirred within you? Would love to read your thoughts in the comments below
Photo Credit: www.fotosearch.com
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!
