A number of years ago, even though my life looked great on the outside - steady job, good health, loving people around me - I felt uninspired and unfulfilled.  I was thinking to myself "something has to change", but I didn't have a clue what it was.  

 

​Have you ever felt that way?  That sense of being "stuck" - not because anything is terribly wrong, but that something needs to change and you're not quite sure what it is?  I believe most of us experience this at some point in our lives.  Feeling this way could be in relation to a job or promotion, a relationship or a major life transition.  It's typically human to look externally for what direction our life should take or who or what is going to solve our problem for us.  We are constantly looking to others for advice, love, attention, and approval.  I was doing exactly that and wondering what I could change so things could be better.  Little did I know at the time that it was MY THINKING that needed to change!

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When we know without a doubt that change is necessary, it's important to look within for the beginning of a solution, AND we are never alone and can find the courage to reach out for a helping hand.

 

I've always been the strong one in the family and the one everyone came to for help and answers.  I had all kinds of love and support around me, but none of those wonderful, loving people could give me the answers I was looking for - not my partner, not my family and not my friends.    

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I realized it was up to me to take responsibility for my own life and that nobody but me was coming to save me.  In order to understand why I was stuck and feeling discontent, I needed to do some self-inquiry.  My journey "inward" has included everything from self-help books to psychology appointments, journaling to shadow work,  philosophy to spirituality and meditation to life coaching.  As I gained intellectual and experiential wisdom, I had an epiphany.  There is nothing wrong with me - in fact there is nothing wrong with any of us!  The truth is my/our thinking is often askew.  We have all these thoughts in our heads, most of which aren't even our own and they run our lives.  Everything from what we "should" do, who we "should" be, whether we are good enough, whether we deserve good, whether we are capable, the imposter syndrome, the fear and self doubt - yikes!   As I became aware of the incessant thoughts and lies swirling around in my head, I made the connection that my thoughts, beliefs, and mindset were shaping my external reality.  The change I needed to make was not something external, but something internal about myself.  It was time to observe and make some adjustments to the way I thought about myself, others, and the world.  In order to do that, I had to be AWARE of my thinking.  Our mind truly is the most powerful tool we have, but we must use it wisely or it will cause more grief than good!

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We have forgotten that we have the answers - our own truth - within us.  The trouble is we never look there.  We never look into our own hearts and minds for truth because we are always looking to the outside world.  We don't realize the amazing power of opening our own minds and hearts in order to excavate what is really ours.  Who are we when we are not who the world tells us to be?  Who are we when we can uncover limiting beliefs and old thought systems and patterns?  Are you questioning this for yourself yet?

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I have been stuck in the mud and frustration of the negativity and untruths of my own thoughts as well as living through the lens of what others thought about me.  It has taken me time, energy,  and hard work to get to where I am today.  I know myself better, I believe in myself more and I am growing and evolving every day.  I did not get here alone, however.  "It takes a village" is not just a proverb about children.  Community is so important when it comes to growth and healing, making changes in our lives, or trying to live our dreams. There is plenty of information out there but the real change came when I practiced and embodied what I learned.  I was supported in a coaching space that helped me to see my own blind spots.  When you have guidance from someone who has been on a similar path and you feel understood and supported in your experience in a safe space, it makes a world of difference. I wouldn't be where I am today without that support and it was a catalyst in my decision to act on something I was feeling in my heart for years, to become a Life Coach.  MY WHY for becoming a Life Coach is that I have a desire to be of service to humanity in some small way, by using my skills and life experience to hold space for others navigating their life journey.  I believe we all have something to give and the more of us that use our talents, gifts and life experience to help others, the more we help the world - and goodness knows the world could use some help right now.

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Do I have it all figured out?  Absolutely not, and I don't know anyone who does, but I do know that without becoming curious about ourselves and getting to know ourselves better, many of us will not express the "gift that we all are" to this world.  This takes love, support and compassion for ourselves and for others.  I believe we all need someone to walk with us on our journey, even if for a short while until we know what direction we are heading in.  I continue to be curious about the world and myself and to understand why I and others think and behave the way we do.  We truly do have so much more in common with each other than we realize. 

 

If this resonates with you, I invite you to have a chat with me.  If it leads you to making a decision to invest in becoming more of  your authentic Self by committing to your own growth and dreams, then a seed as been planted.  

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