"Begin today. Declare out loud to the universe that you are willing to let go of struggle and eager to learn through joy." -Sarah Ban Breathnach
I am having a particularly hard time knowing where to start this post. I have so much to say, and the very ironic part is that this is most likely the end. I could start with telling you how far I have come in the past two years since I quit my medical billing job to write. I could start with what was to become the beginning of the end, back in August of 2013 when I enrolled in my life coach class and signed on to be a part of Thrive. I could wax poetic about being in a constant state of excitement and discomfort in the months since. I guess I will only just offer three simple thoughts. Firstly, no matter your chronological, mental, or emotional state, I highly recommend starting a blog. The few hours per week of self-reflection will bring you clarity. If you happen to be looking for direction, it is especially helpful. Be prepared to embrace the present moment, and to have faith in the process. Secondly, be vigilant about the people you give your time and attention to. Status quo does not equal safety or sufficiency. Which brings me to my final thought. There's very few things I will admit that I can't do. I admit, I just can't adequately express my overwhelming sense of gratitude for you. I am celebrating the many things I have accomplished and choosing to have you in my life tops the list. If you are reading this, I do mean YOU. By the grace of God, and by your light, you have blessed me. Immeasurably. I move forward with the highest intention of giving back. I will pray for you. I will pray for myself that I live up to...I don't know, everything -everything you have done for me. In the words of Johnny from the movie The Outsiders, "Stay gold."
**It's not really the end, I am relocating. My new space will be at www.buildingthrive.com. Hope to see you there!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Sunday, February 16, 2014
It's a Win-Win
"Few investments have a higher return than the energy spent cheering for your fellow man." - Kristi Twork
I am an avid fan of many sports teams. I would be hard pressed to declare a favorite, but my Detroit Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, MSU Spartan football and basketball teams are all near and dear to my heart. On game day, I avoid donning my team gear, (it has been proven to be a bad omen), but I am so anxious for a win that I almost can't enjoy watching. My question is: What is the spiritual relevance of watching sports? On one hand, sports can be very divisive, pitting people, even family members and friends, against each other. And while I am cheering on my players, inevitably, I am willing opposing players to make mistakes or fail. Sadly, it is not uncommon for me to need a day or two to shake off the funk of a loss. I have no idea how I get so emotionally invested in the hard work and dedication of complete strangers. On the other hand, sports can bring people together, give hope to vast regions, and lift entire nations. A single feat can inspire a generation of athletes. There's nothing like the surge of energy and exhilaration brought on by a crowd cheering in unison for a home run, a game-winning buzzer beater, or an improbable victory. There's even comfort in sharing the agony of defeat with your fellow fans. I suppose it is for me to balance the opposing aspects of fanaticism. And it is for me to remember that only one victory is anything more than fleeting. The promise of eternal life and God's unconditional love are worthy of a titanic ovation. Every single win and every single loss is part of God's plan. I think that's what makes the game so inspiring. The athlete who devotes her time and energy to becoming a champion, knowing the risk of failure, is an epic hero. Ultimately, her fate is in His hands. It's a commonality we all share and cause for thunderous celebration. You can't beat that.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Project Listen, Learn, and Love
“Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.” - David Augsburger
I often catch myself doing a bad thing: Projecting. It's a terrible habit of assuming that you want what I want. I'm sorry you got stuck with that strawberry sundae instead of chocolate... You didn't go out Friday night, you just laid on the couch and watched movies? Bummer. Only, it turns out, strawberry is your absolute favorite, and -you worked your ass off all week, so you relished staying home. It's all good. Too often, when you are talking to me, I am listening, but with a preconceived notion of how you feel about it, whatever it is. And I worry about you. I worry because you don't have all of the things you surely wish for, you know, -the things I prize most. And sometimes I even feel bad because you don't inherently know what it is that I prize, which invariably leads to some misunderstanding or disappointment. Well, I'm sorry, and I'm working on it. For the past 20 weeks, my life coach class has given me a tremendous lesson in the art of listening. I am learning to be present in professional and personal relationships in a way that is helping me connect to others on a deeper level. It is so thoroughly gratifying to fully listen and hear to the heart of what is being said. I think that is the single greatest wish that we all share, to be heard and truly understood. The irony is that most of us want that so badly that it takes away from our ability to do so for others. When we let go of our assumptions, we have the opportunity to really see the world from a new perspective. And I am finding the cherry on top of letting go of my assumptions is that I am able to more fully receive the gift that is you.
I often catch myself doing a bad thing: Projecting. It's a terrible habit of assuming that you want what I want. I'm sorry you got stuck with that strawberry sundae instead of chocolate... You didn't go out Friday night, you just laid on the couch and watched movies? Bummer. Only, it turns out, strawberry is your absolute favorite, and -you worked your ass off all week, so you relished staying home. It's all good. Too often, when you are talking to me, I am listening, but with a preconceived notion of how you feel about it, whatever it is. And I worry about you. I worry because you don't have all of the things you surely wish for, you know, -the things I prize most. And sometimes I even feel bad because you don't inherently know what it is that I prize, which invariably leads to some misunderstanding or disappointment. Well, I'm sorry, and I'm working on it. For the past 20 weeks, my life coach class has given me a tremendous lesson in the art of listening. I am learning to be present in professional and personal relationships in a way that is helping me connect to others on a deeper level. It is so thoroughly gratifying to fully listen and hear to the heart of what is being said. I think that is the single greatest wish that we all share, to be heard and truly understood. The irony is that most of us want that so badly that it takes away from our ability to do so for others. When we let go of our assumptions, we have the opportunity to really see the world from a new perspective. And I am finding the cherry on top of letting go of my assumptions is that I am able to more fully receive the gift that is you.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Free Bird
"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must [say goodbye] to one life before we can enter another" - Anatole France
For most of my adult life, I have held my focus to my family, taking care of my children, my husband, our home, and nurturing relationships with my sisters, mom, dad, and my in-laws. They have been my life-line and, everything I have given, I have received to an immeasurable degree. Now I see my kids preparing to spread their wings with varying degrees of sadness, anxiety, and excitement. They are leaving behind the safety of their nest and looking ahead to a future that is full of things unknown. I too, am venturing out to make a life for me. I'm a bit puzzled by the irony, and at the same time, it feels perfectly natural. Our worlds are about to expand as we forge ahead encountering new people in the form of friends, coworkers, future lovers and spouses (for the kids), and even children, and grandchildren. I will miss having them here, being able to hug them everyday and share the little details of their lives, (everyone knows the little things matter the most). But mostly, I am SO FREAKIN' EXCITED! For all of us. And come what may; success, failure, joy, disappointment, -although achieved and experienced individually, always will be shared. I worry about losing the closeness we have, but I know without doubt, that I have their love and support always. And always, they have my heart. -And of course, anything else they need.
For most of my adult life, I have held my focus to my family, taking care of my children, my husband, our home, and nurturing relationships with my sisters, mom, dad, and my in-laws. They have been my life-line and, everything I have given, I have received to an immeasurable degree. Now I see my kids preparing to spread their wings with varying degrees of sadness, anxiety, and excitement. They are leaving behind the safety of their nest and looking ahead to a future that is full of things unknown. I too, am venturing out to make a life for me. I'm a bit puzzled by the irony, and at the same time, it feels perfectly natural. Our worlds are about to expand as we forge ahead encountering new people in the form of friends, coworkers, future lovers and spouses (for the kids), and even children, and grandchildren. I will miss having them here, being able to hug them everyday and share the little details of their lives, (everyone knows the little things matter the most). But mostly, I am SO FREAKIN' EXCITED! For all of us. And come what may; success, failure, joy, disappointment, -although achieved and experienced individually, always will be shared. I worry about losing the closeness we have, but I know without doubt, that I have their love and support always. And always, they have my heart. -And of course, anything else they need.
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