Archive for 'growth'

Your Life As A Book

Sunday, April 7th, 2013 at 6:43 PM  
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If you’ve been following my recent posts, you will recall that I started a new job this past week in upstate New York after relocating from Mississippi, where I have lived for the past 8 years. You can imagine that taking the leap of faith involved in moving 20+ hours North from our friends and loved ones was rather nerve wracking. But I vowed to follow the advise I’ve been offering on Chasing Your Fire about pursuing your passion and doing the brave thing, so I closed my eyes and prayed for a soft landing on the other side.

Reflecting on this past week, I am thrilled to report that embarking on this adventure is undoubtedly one of the best decisions that I have made in a really, really long time. Again life proved to me how important it is to move beyond your comfort zone. Despite my Southern friends’ warnings about the coldness of “Northern folk,” I have only met absolutely wonderful, genuine people who have welcomed me sincerely and warmly at every opportunity. As I write this, I feel more at home, invigorated, and happy than I have in a long time.

This experience has reminded me how beautiful and wonderfully unpredictable life is. As we close one chapter of our lives (whatever that might look like), a next chapter is always waiting, ready to be discovered. Like a gripping novel, if we keep flipping the pages, we’ll find that so many exciting, wonderful details of our stories are yet to unfold.

So this week I want to pose you with a challenge. There is an activity often used in counseling, called, “My Life As A Book,” that encourages reflection on the past, present and future chapters of our lives. I have included it below because it is so important to allow ourselves time to think about the tough stuff. Happy soul searching, friends!

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Comfort Really Is Overrated

Sunday, March 17th, 2013 at 10:39 PM  
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I’ve always been a firm believer that comfort is overrated. I blame my parents for that, because they showed me at an early age that so much good can come from doing the hard thing. You see, as a child, our family moved around a lot for my dad’s work. I went to several different schools, each time getting uprooted and transplanted somewhere new. Though there were times that I cried for old friends and dreaded that first day of being the new kid on the block, it was mostly overshadowed by a sense of excitement in not knowing what would come next.

I am so thankful to my parents for teaching me to embrace the unpredictable. It was those experiences that eventually led my fearless 20-something self to leave South Africa in pursuit of an education in America. Sometimes I still can’t believe that I chose (seemingly without hesitation) to literally leave everything and every single person that I knew behind in search of adventure.

I often say that I was a lot braver when I was younger. Now, just about a decade later, I’ve become a bit more cautious in the face of adventure. I’ve asked myself whether it is because I am now grown up with more responsibilities, or whether I am just too darn comfortable where I am. It might be a little bit of both. Let’s be honest, it sure does feel all warm and fuzzy when you know what to expect from each day. And it sure is nice not to have to worry about too much, and to just keep trucking along the same road, doing the same thing.

It’s a common desire to create for ourselves a cocoon of comfort. Outside of that warm, protective casing, it can seem like a big and scary world. As we consider taking a peak outside we tell ourselves stories of what dangers might be lurking there, and so we retreat back to the familiar once more. The result is that many of us choose never to break free of our little nests. For my husband and I, that  has been a little college town called Oxford, Mississippi – a place we’ve called home for 8 years.  Read the rest of this entry

Follow These 5 Practices to Help Others Reach Their Potential

Friday, February 8th, 2013 at 12:10 AM  
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As you’ve committed yourself to a more meaningful life, chances are that you’ve began noticing others around you who could really use a hearty dose of passion. Maybe you have a friend, child, coworker, family member, or colleague who is just not living up to his or her potential. Maybe this person is stuck in a dead-end job. Maybe he or she just can’t seem to choose a major or career path. Or even more common, maybe this person is just too afraid to take the leap towards pursuing their passion because it is just too darn scary.

So there you are, a helpless onlooker bearing witness to a perfectly extraordinary person choosing a life that is, well, underwhelming. What to do? Well I have good news, friends. Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner have identified 5 practices that will help you to make extraordinary things happen around you. Though the practices are originally intended as exemplary leadership principles, you don’t have to consider yourself a leader to follow them. Though you’ll find that when you do, you will inspire greatness in those around you.

Model the Way

The biggest gift you can give this world is to be an example of what it looks like to live your passion. Not only will you be an inspiration to others, you will also lend credibility to your message.  As Ken Kesey said, “You don’t lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case.” So go show those around you that a meaningful, passion-filled life is possible! Read the rest of this entry

Turning Lemons Into Lemonade and Other Important Life Lessons (Regina Brett’s Story)

Thursday, January 17th, 2013 at 9:01 PM  
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A few weeks ago a picture of the fabulously eccentric lady above jumped out from my Facebook news feed. Below the picture was the following message:

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer Newspaper, Cleveland, Ohio. ”To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone. Read the rest of this entry

Embrace Your Pruning

Thursday, November 8th, 2012 at 11:39 PM  
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Last week I wrote a post to inspire you to be kind and to show unconditional love to those around you. The response I received on social media was overwhelming, and a beautiful discussion unfolded on LinkedIn as professional women from all over the country shared incredible stories about the kindness of others. From strangers providing shelter after tragedy, to mere acquintances staying by hospital beds and offering financial assistance, the stories were so heartfelt and meaningful that the conversation has lingered with me all week.

What struck me most is that the stories were often of unsung heroes who had no idea that their random acts of kindness would have such a lasting impact on these women’s lives. Though there were no medals and sometimes even no contact past the moment shared, the impact rippled through their lives in unimaginable ways – like real life examples of the movie, “Pay It Forward.”

We know kindness is powerful, especially at times when others are down and out, or when they seemingly least deserve it. The world would be a wonderful place if we were all kind to each other all of the time. Sadly, we know that this is not the case, and that unkindness can be equally powerful and have lasting impact. For instance, there’s been a lot of news coverage about workplace bullying lately, which includes acts like repeated and unwarranted criticism, unjustified blame, disparate treatment, verbal assault, exclusion or social isolation, and purposeful humiliation. Such acts are incredibly cruel, and they would most certainly chip away at even the strongest optimist. Who wouldn’t eventually start to wonder what they do wrong to deserve such treatment? Read the rest of this entry

Be The Exception! (Trevin Hunte’s Story)

Thursday, September 20th, 2012 at 11:56 PM  
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You might have realized by now that I’m a sucker for reality talent shows like The Voice, X-factor, and American Idol.  In truth, it’s not so much the performances that keep me glued to the television as it is the incredible stories behind the talent. What unfolds are stories of passion, vulnerability, hope, and perseverance –  inspiring real life examples of people who are chasing their fire despite the odds.

Take 18-year old Trevin Hunte for example. Recently on The Voice, Trevin blew the judges away with his performance of “Listen” (by Beyonce Knowles). Within the first few seconds of his buttery voice filling the auditorium, the crowd rose to their feet as the judges’ chairs flung around to see the face behind the voice. The judges fought over Trevin, knowing that his was a rare talent. “I hit my button out of sheer respect…it absolutely blows my mind!” said Blake Shelton. CeeLo agreed, “You might be that dude to win this thing!”

Here’s the ironic part:

Trevin Hunte was told by his eighth grade teacher that he wouldn’t become anything. And what’s worse, he believed her. 

“Confidence hasn’t always been the biggest thing in my life,” he told the judges as he shared his story. It took all of him to pursue his passion given the voices in the back of his mind that kept insisting that he could not do it. ”Screw your 8th grade teacher!” judge Blake cried out in disbelief. (Can I hear an Amen to that?)

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9 Keys to Inviting Happiness Into Your Life – Part 2

Thursday, September 6th, 2012 at 2:14 PM  
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I firmly believe that each one of us has the capacity for genuine, undeniable, and abundant happiness. While some think that such a belief is foolish, I disagree. I don’t think we really have a choice but to believe that true happiness is within our reach. The alternative is believing that we are destined to live unfulfilled, meaningless lives. I simply cannot and will not resign to that notion, and I hope you don’t either. Instead, let’s choose to believe with Aristotle that,

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.”

Yes! We are born to chase our fire(s) and to liberate and celebrate our best selves (read BE HAPPY)! When we live extraordinary lives, it’s near impossible not to radiate happiness. I’m talking about the kind of happiness where your heart threatens to burst from the confines of your chest, where your cheeks take strain from smiling so much, and where your belly aches from the laughter that emanates from your soul.  Such moments of abundant happiness are what bring meaning to our lives and what make our days more manageable.

But what if those moments seem to be growing fewer and farther between? Life has this way of getting a bit distracting at times, and before you know it, you are caught up in the logistics of it all while forgetting to actually live it. (I like to call this “operating on autopilot.”) If this sounds at all familiar, please STOP. Right now.

The truth is that you are the author of your own reality, and only you can choose to write happiness into your story. 

A good place to start inviting happiness into your life is by implementing the 9 keys below. Last week I discussed the first four of these keys (I encourage you to read more about them here if you haven’t yet), and this week I will conclude with a discussion of the final five keys:

H – Seek Harmony

A – Appreciate Your Blessings

P – Pursue Your Passion

P – Purge Your Life

I – Be Intentional Read the rest of this entry

9 Keys to Inviting Happiness Into Your Life – Part 1

Friday, August 31st, 2012 at 2:26 AM  
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Each of us has the capacity for genuine, undeniable, and abundant happiness. I’m talking about the kind of happiness where your heart threatens to burst from the confines of your chest, where your cheeks take strain from smiling so much, and where your belly aches from the laughter that emanates from your soul.  Such moments of abundant happiness are what bring meaning to our lives and what make our days more manageable. As Aristotle said,

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” 

But what if those moments are few and far between? What if happiness seems like an elusive ideal and a fool’s paradise? Life, as messy as it is, can often be overwhelming. Sometimes it might feel like it is standing directly in the way of happiness, and there is nothing to be done about it. But that’s not true. Don’t be tricked into thinking you don’t have a horse in the happiness race just because your circumstances might look different than the guy next to you. You are the author of your own reality, so keep clinging (with all your might) to the hope that happiness is still within your reach. Because it is – but only if you believe it to be so and if you actively will it into your life. As Alexandre Dumas reminds us,

“Happiness is like those places in fairytales whose gates are guarded by dragons: We must fight in order to conquer it.” 

Though there are many views on how to attain happiness, here are the 9 keys that I rely on to invite happiness into my life. I hope they will hold meaning for you as well:

H – Seek Harmony

A – Appreciate Your Blessings

P – Pursue Your Passion

P – Purge Your Life

I – Be Intentional Read the rest of this entry

10 Daily Promises to Ignite Your Inner Optimist

Thursday, August 23rd, 2012 at 11:06 PM  
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I recently stumbled upon an inspiring TED Talk by Tali Sharot, author of The Optimism Bias: A Tour of the Irrationally Positive Brain, where she discussed the value of overestimating the positive. “Some people say the secret to happiness is low expectations,” she explained. “If we don’t expect greatness, if we don’t expect to find love and be healthy and successful, we’re not going to be disappointed when these things don’t happen. And when we’re pleasantly surprised when they do, we will be happy. It’s a very good theory, but it is wrong.”

Someone please give that woman an “Amen!” I’ve never understood the reasoning behind low expectations, as it seemed to often belong to people who perpetuated mediocrity. I’ve always been more in favor of the school of thought that says that good things come to those who challenge themselves, work really hard, and believe in their ability to be successful. Those folks have good reason to be optimistic because they are they are the architects of their own lives. Along similar lines of thought, Tali shares the following reasons why low expectations do in fact not lead to happiness:

“Whatever happens, whether you succeed or fail, people with high expectations always feel better, because how we feel – when we get dumped or we win employee of the month – depends on how we interpret that event.”

Tali reminds us that we have choice in how we interpret the things that happen in our lives, and this choice can very well determine our happiness. Does failing (whatever that might look like for you) tend to make you lie nose first on the ground feeling sorry for yourself, or does it motivate you to get up and fight for the future you have imagined? When life goes wrong, do you blame yourself, call yourself bad names, maybe even feel worthless? Or do you accept that some things are outside of your control and have nothing to do with your ability to be successful? If you make the conscious choice to interpret events positively and to attribute constructive emotions to such events, you are allowing room for success and happiness in your life. Read the rest of this entry

7 Confidence Builders To Keep You Moving In The Direction of Your Dreams

Thursday, August 16th, 2012 at 1:34 PM  
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“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!

Live the life you’ve imagined!“

Henry David Thoreau’s call to action never fails to inspire. Who wouldn’t want the kind of life he describes? I know I do! But in reality, that’s quite a tall order for most of us. Going in the direction of your dreams takes courage, resources, support, and a plan. Most importantly, Thoreau reminds us that the most well-formulated goals can only bring you so far without the self-confidence necessary to pursue them. 

Sadly, they don’t sell confidence in a bottle. It is built, slowly, through self-exploration, loving support, and experience to prove to yourself that you can do it (whatever “it” is). It requires patience, time, self-acceptance (and celebration!), and self-nurturing. Though it can seem like a lifelong journey for some,  self-confidence can propel you in the direction of your dreams and sustain you as you chase your fire.

If you’re not the most confident person, don’t be discouraged. We all have moments in our lives that we doubt ourselves. Yes, all of us – even seemingly fearless folks like Donald Trump, Mother Theresa, Barack Obama, or Missy Franklin. So count yourself among giants! These 7 action steps will help you to build confidence and lift your spirits as you keep moving in the direction of your dreams:

Embrace What Makes You Unique

Take “me time” regularly to break away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and to self-reflect. Be still. Listen. Think. Journal. Consider meeting with a Counselor to assess your personality, skills, values, strengths, abilities, and interests.  There is so much joy in the process of self-discovery!  When we understand more about who we are, how we relate to the world, what kinds of activities make us come alive, and which kinds of environments best suit us, we feel validated, empowered, and special. We naturally start embracing and celebrating the things that make us unique. It’s very difficult (near impossible!) to feel down on yourself when you keep learning just how awesome you really are and become aware of the many great gifts you have to offer! Read the rest of this entry

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