Learning Along The Way

No More Excuses

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It’s Friday. Friday is usually a day to ease into a slower pace for the weekend.
Today I am putting a stake in the sand and declaring:
NO MORE EXCUSES!

For longer than I like to admit I have succumbed to the Resistance. Steven Pressfield writes about it in The War of Art, and Do The Work.Check his work out here

I have accepted the lies of ‘you have nothing to offer’, ‘why bother’, and ‘not good enough’ for too long.

I choose this day to place that stake in the ground, to take back the territory that has been given me and begin again. In earnest.

No More ‘I Can’t’

Trusting Who has made me and discovering what He’s made me for is my focus.

A New Ending.

What have you been believing that is keeping you from living a purposeful, intentional Christ-centered life? Leave a comment so I may join you in the battle through prayer.

Of Change & Learning

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A great question and ponderous statement were posed to me the other day, one through a book and the other a tweet. Both are thoughts that have run through my head recently but now spoken, I see the opportunity to share reflections for others’ benefit.

 

The ponderous statement comes from the book “What Happens When Women Say Yes to God” by Lysa TerKeurst. At the end of chapter 3 she encourages the reader to respond to this statement: “Soon, saying yes to God will no longer be a discipline of your heart but rather the delight of your life.”

 

The great tweet question was sent out by Trisha Goyer asking: “How have you seen God’s renewing work in your life, and in your family, in the last year?”

 

My response to both Lysa and Trisha comes in the discipline of writing, not just thinking. Jeff Goins encourages in The Writers Manifesto: “It’s time to begin”.

 

Some events are milestones and some seem ordinary. Milestones are like the peaks of mountains; visible from great distance. Ordinary events, well, they’re ordinary. As crazy as our culture is we discard the ordinary and seek after mountaintop experiences.

 

I could list the mountaintop, milestone events of this past year for our family: two graduations, a wedding, job changes, moves, starting college. A full year in anyone’s life. Yet it’s not the milestones that have renewed me. I have learned to delight in the ordinary because that is where I live and meet with God.

 

My website and coaching business name express my view of life: learning along the Way. The ordinary events of life, moments really, are the stuff of holy wonder. A hummingbird hovering above nectar-filled flowers; a heart shaped rock on a sandy shore. The laughter of sons now grown. The sweet memory of little boy giggles (why can’t I see the keyboard right now?)

 

God is in both the milestone and ordinary events showing Himself in a variety of ways. I have learned acknowledging His Presence makes all circumstances extra-ordinary. In the day to day of laundry, grocery shopping, meal prep, yard work, working outside the home, family and friend relationships, and whatever else is in a day, hitting the pause button to say Thank You has been the take away of this year.

 

In fact, I will be so bold to say taking time to give thanks to God is His will for those who name His name.

 

There are many wonderful authors who are writing boldly, pointing to The Way, but one in particular has been used by God to transform and renew my mind this year, Ann Voskamp.  Her chronicles at aholyexperience.com consistently bring me to practical awareness of the hushed life with God moments that are every where. If you aren’t reading her writing you are missing out.

 

This year of saying Yes to God and His transforming work has brought big change in me and in our family: our moving out of our home and into destinations unknown to us has been a huge area of trusting Him moment by moment. I couldn’t have done any of this without the strong, solid foundation of knowing God through His Word and the testimonies of His children. That foundation has been built over decades of learning new choices and ways of being along the Way.

 

God is faithful. He is at work both in the world and in me to bring about His purposes. Do you know Him? Do you partner with the Creator for others’ good and His glory? If you do, please share what He’s up to in your part of the world. If you’re not sure about your answers, email me and let’s converse!

Spooner's Cove

Be Transformed!

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Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

What is the one thing that keeps you from stepping out toward the big dream you have?

What if that one thing was removed from your path?  Would you step forward?  Or would you find one more thing that’s keeping you from taking that step?

 

As I have listened to women talk about their dreams of what is still ahead in life there is often a sadness; a focus on “if only”.  Sometimes that ‘if only’ is tied to an event in the past.  Sometimes that ‘if only’ is attached to an expected outcome.  Both are rocks in the path that cause them to stumble.

 

We do not live in the past.  We do not know the future.  We live in the gift of this moment; the present.

 

The events of our past may legitimately be terrible experiences.  We may have scars to prove it.  If we stay focused on the ‘if only’ we are clinging to a false sense of reality and denying the sovereignty of God.  Boom.  That’s harsh but true.  How do we let go of the past?

 

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

 

I’m not saying pretend that bad things didn’t or won’t happen.  I’m saying put the true bad things in the Hands of the One who saw and has the power to redeem.  And then LET GO.

 

Clinging to the past keeps us from having open hands to the present.

 

What if your issue is looking ahead and anticipating the bad things, the stumbling blocks that could be or might be in your path?  The opposite side of hanging on to the past is worry about the unknowns of the future.  What do you do if you’re plagued with worry?

 

The answer is still the same: Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

 

Renewal comes from God.  His Word is life, truth, light to our path.  Get in It.

 

Well-intentioned, faithful women (I include me in this) have stumbled again and again in similar ways.  What keeps us from simply being renewed? From simply doing the work of verse memory? From living out what we say we believe?  From trust that God will come through?

 

Mindset. 

 

It’s the familiar path your thoughts take when you are faced with something new.

 

Stop for a minute and think about how you talk to yourself (either aloud or in your head)

 

Are you loving and encouraging in the face of mistakes or unknowns?  Or are your words harsh, critical and demeaning?  Do you say things to yourself you would NEVER say to a friend or a child?  If your mindset is a negative one, you set yourself up for discouragement and setbacks time and again.

 

The work of changing your mindset needs external support.  Talking out your dreams and aspirations and facing the real or perceived rocks in your path can help you in the work of transformation.  That’s what I do.  As a Christian Life Coach my role in my clients’ lives is to listen and ask questions; questions that help each client clarify what is their next step to take.  I have the distinct privilege of sitting with a woman, prayerfully listening for God’s wisdom for that woman and asking the question that causes them to ponder below the surface of the everyday.

 

“Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within.” (Proverbs 20:5 The Message)

 

Let go of the past.  Look forward with joyful anticipation.  Live in the present.

 

Sound too good to be true?  Let’s talk.

Opportunities to Connect

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I was privileged to participate in an amazing life-focusing experience recently.  I participated in a group that read and discussed the book you see pictured above.  This is my copy of this marvelous book by Kim Avery titled, Uniquely You:Discover Your Life Purpose.  Notice the cover is bent and worn.  Proof that I’ve opened it more than once!

I’ll tell you what, this book has been a fantastic, easy to read, and transformational tool that God has used in my life. No exaggeration.  I would love all my friends and their friends and their friends’ friends to be able to read and interact with other women about this book. It’s that good. Really. That good.

Listen to these questions Kim asks:

  • Do you feel overworked, overwhelmed and unfulfilled?
  • Do you ever wonder if you are missing out on God’s best?
  • Do you know and live out the purpose God has for YOU?

I asked Kim if I could offer a book group using Uniquely You.  She said Yes!  I’m so excited to be able to offer YOU a group!  There are a couple of different opportunities to connect.  I am offering two group options during the month of May:

Each group will meet all 5 Fridays for one hour either

  • 1) in the mid-morning at my office, or
  • 2) at noon PST on the phone through my bridge line (you can be anywhere!)

This book is easily read and discussed in a small group of about 5.  It will take you a personal time commitment of 10 minutes a day each week.  The book is written to be read in a 4 week format.  I want to offer the discussion group for 5 weeks to give enough discussion and processing time.  At the end of the book, you will have the option of a personal coaching session with me to allow you time for “What’s Next” after all you learn about yourself during our group time and through your individual reading times.

Interested?  Want to know particulars?

Leave a comment below; email me through my website; message me on Facebook; direct message me through Twitter, or simply call me!

You need to act quickly because of both limits of space (5 in a group) and time (to order the books!)

Depending on the number of women interested, I am considering offering the group again during the summer.  If your schedule prevents you from participating in either of these two times in May let me know.

Morning View

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This is the view out our front window at 7:00 AM.  The somewhat pixel-y photo was taken with my phone camera.  At the time, I was struck by the quality of the light and the abundance of the jasmine and geraniums in bloom outside.

Then as I looked again, I started to notice the items outside: the ladder, the bicycle flag, the galvanized planter, the arrangement of pots on the sill.  The ladder was really used to paint many walls over many years by my grandfather.  It was in his garage and after he went on to be with the Lord, I asked my Dad for it. He was worried that it was not sturdy enough; “Don’t you want a newer metal ladder?” No, I had a plan.  That was 15 years ago before garden art was trendy. I saw something else: a way to remember and honor my grandfather and create something of beauty. But I digress.

Each of those items outside has a story attached.  After my Mom passed away, my dear friend Melissa took care of our plants and pets for a time while we were away.  I came home to a lovely vignette of potted plants that she had potted and arranged to bless me.  That was 6 years ago.  The view still blesses me.

I am currently reading a book about seeing.  Not how we see like a science book but what we perceive as we see the everyday.  It’s called Windows of the Soul, by Ken Gire.  It was published in 1996.  Not a new book, but new to me.  As is his premise: the circumstances of life are never just about what you see.

Perspective is everything.  But shifting our perspective can be hard.  Sometimes it takes the eyes and perspective of another to help us see what is; to see the same circumstance from a different view.

There have been many who have helped me see differently.  I need that; seeing differently.  Through much adjusting and much practice my morning view takes in far more than what I see in front of me.  But that adjusting and practice has taken time and effort.  A new way of seeing is the result of long term investment.

Are you in need of a new view?  Invest in your growth and personal development.  Time, focus, prayer are all tools that you have access to right now.

The one thing that may be missing: an encouraging voice and another set of eyes.  A voice to cheer you on, to see what is without the perspective that may be holding you back from seeing all that there is about you.

You need a coach.

Waiting… Actively

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Have you ever had the sense that your life could be so much more?  Yearning to be working, serving, doing, creating, but you’re not sure What?

Or maybe you have a vision of what can be… but aren’t sure How?

This road sign is a reminder to me…I don’t have to figure it all out at once.  There is One who knows and gives me pieces of the puzzle, the picture that will one day be complete.

I don’t have to work harder, or be smarter, or achieve more, or do be do be do!  I need to give way. I need to yield.

The sign says it all.

Yield

To what? To whom?

That is part of the discovery of the Why You are Here question.

The rest of the sign tells the rest of the story.

ONE WAY

Jesus said, “Let anybody who is discontent, unhappy, who has unfulfilled potential — Let them come to Me.”  John 7:37

Sometimes, no, most times, there are questions.  How does this faith walk work? How do I get started? Get clarity? Start over? And so many more…

Having someone to ask the questions of, who will come alongside you, not telling you what you should do, but listening and drawing out the puzzle pieces already inside you, is SO HELPFUL!

That’s what my life coach did for me.  And continues to.  These times with her have been so helpful for me as I have stepped out of one season of life and into the next.  Her wisdom and grace has helped me step into the role of a life coach for others myself.  Now I have the privilege of spending time listening and asking questions that help another woman find the answers that are needed in her life.

As a follower of Christ, I go to Him first for my client, asking Him to help me listen well, to have His wisdom for this woman and to get me out of the Way so He can work in her life.

Life is such an adventure!  There are challenges and joys all mixed in.  A coach can help you keep your eyes on the Way and can help you see the Light for your next step.

I would LOVE to talk with you about what coaching can look like in your life; we are all unique so our journey and needs are different too.  Click over here to contact me about your free, introductory coaching session.

Learning along the Way is what life is all about from my vantage point.  Join me!

(photo credit: aaroads)

 

 

To Teach is to Touch a Life Forever

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Some of you who have known me for awhile already are familiar with my history. But for those who don’t, I have spent more than half my life teaching. I have worked with children, youth and adults in a variety of settings from traditional classrooms to garages to auditoriums. I love to teach!

What I have discovered in working with my coach Kathy is that my passion is really to give the tools to learn so that my students, regardless of age, can continue the learning process on their own. Giving away a passion for learning and growing is not an easy task. But if only one student was inspired in each year’s work, it would have been worth it to me.

The funny thing is, although I am no longer a classroom teacher, I find myself still teaching! I guess it is because I am an eager learning and I want to share whatever new things I have come across. When I am enthusiastic about something it is nearly impossible for me to keep my enthusiasm to myself. I’m not sure if that is bad; you’d have to ask my family what it is like living with me: “Hey you guys! Guess what I just read?!”

Your passion may not be for learning and teaching what you learn. You do have passion about something though. You may be busy today with small children and can’t think much past their daily schedule of needs, or you may be going into a season of change and you don’t know what is ahead. Either way, somewhere inside you is some element of creative passion. I know that is true because each of us is created in the image of God and He is the source of creativity and passion!

I really encourage you to carve out some time to sit in solitude asking your Maker what your passion is if you are disconnected from the awareness of how you are wired. He knows the plans He has for you…

Some of you are really living out your passions right now and you inspire me! I really believe we are intended to share our gifts and talents with one another for both blessing and challenge. How do we get started though? What can you do today to take a step toward living out your passion? I would love to talk with you about what I have been learning (there I go again!) that can help you get the tools you need to learn about your passion.

Follow Me…

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