Inspire

"The jump is so frightening between where I am and where I want to be, but because of who I may become, I will close my eyes and JUMP!" - Kelle Centineo, NMD

I completely agree with the above quote, and I am feeling it! So much has changed over the last month and a half. I recently joined a life coaching group where I will be peeling away the layers that are within me over a 12 month period. This month, I am focusing on becoming aware of my thoughts, reactions, what I'm curious about and what I enjoy learning about. All I can say is WOW - I'm learning a lot about myself! I would like to take this time to share what I have discovered so far. Over the last two weeks I have been acutely aware of my thoughts . . . in a stronger capacity than I have ever experienced. I have surprised myself with how many thoughts go through my head that are more negative than positive and more limiting instead of empowering.

I have often heard that awareness is the first step to being open about change. I am so COMPLETELY AWARE of my thoughts/reactions lately that I feel as though a floodgate has been opened and freedom has been released and found. I have more fears than I ever realized – fears that seem just plain silly (fear of success) and fears that I have secretly been aware of for years (fear of losing friends). Through all of this awareness, I have also discovered that the ability to overcome these fears is fiercely approaching the surface, and that not only am I capable of overcoming them, I WILL overcome them!

Sunday was the first day where I tasted this ability. It was a turning point in my life. Through a mundane task as simple as flying, I found that I can rise above and knock down a fear wall with a tenacious gusto! I tackled a milestone head on that arrived in the form of traveling in an airport completely alone. I knew no one and it forced me to grow. Not only was I alone, but I found within myself the ability to reach deep down and grab hold of courage, determination, and a savvy sense of traveling that I always knew existed but couldn’t act on.

I took the opportunity to get bumped on my flight back home, resulting in 7.5 hours in an airport alone (something that would’ve bored me before, thus making me extremely frightened because I absolutely loathe forced boredom). This single decision was instantly rewarded with a travel voucher worth $300, $20 in food coupons since I was going to be at the airport all day, and a spot in first class all the way home to Fargo. I was completely ecstatic because I saw God’s hand in every aspect of it! It was as if God himself was rewarding this new found independence and travel wisdom simply for the fact of cheering me on and encouraging me to stay the course of jumping outside of my comfort nest.

I have never felt more empowered and free! This experience was not scary at all, contrary to the thoughts that swam around in my head previously. In fact, it was more exhilarating than I could’ve imagined. I’m coming out of my shell and it’s only a matter of time before my fears are but a tiny token of who I used to be. I’m learning how to LIVE OUT LOUD and I truly can’t wait to meet myself even six months from now as I board the plane to Long Beach, CA for my next conference – bought with the travel voucher from today, yet another provision from my Heavenly Father!