A safe harbor where beliefs are respected and kindness prevails.

Change Brings Opportunity

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teriYes!  Change brings opportunity.  My husband, who has lived in over 50 houses in his 51 years of age, says that to me on a regular basis.  It’s one of the reasons we get along so well; we are committed to embracing change instead of fighting it.

When we are deep in the middle of change sometimes we can’t see where the opportunity lies.  The process may seem daunting and fearful.  How can we stay open to change instead of fighting against it?  Here are 8 ways to embrace change and make it work for you!

1. Take baby steps. Make small changes.  Break big changes into small steps.  For example:  if you are moving, plan ahead by packing early in 30 minute segments – start in one area and pack for 30 minutes.  Making slight progress makes you feel much better.

2. Stay flexible and go with the flow.  Be like the tide.  Sometimes it’s high, sometimes it’s low but it’s always flowing.

3. Adapt a Pollyanna attitude.  Find the good in the moment.  A break up leaves you available to find your perfect match or get that dog you always wanted.

4. This too shall pass. Change happens which means things may make you feel overly stressed.  Remember a time in your life that was extremely hectic and have faith that you will eventually get through to the next moment; you will adapt to this new change.

5. You are not alone.  You don’t have to cope with change on your own.  Reach out to friends, family or colleagues for support or keep a journal to share your feelings for strength and relief

6.  Take time to adjust.  Give yourself time to accept the change that is happening in your life.

7.  Be Prepared.  Don’t let unexpected surprises rock you.  Stress and change are a part of life.  The better equipped you are to maneuver through them, the less likely they will through you off kilter.

8.  Change brings opportunity.  Henry Ford said, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”  Sometimes change and a little stress can open our eyes to new ideas, new opportunities and new ways of living our lives.  Be open to the possibilities.

My story is not unlike many of yours.  I’ve had my share of tragedy and triumph, of ups and downs, of loss and heartache.  Sometimes I’ve seen deep despair.  By practicing the suggestions above and much more, I’ve learned to embrace the moment and not let fear or sorrow stop me in my tracks.  As REO Speedwagon suggests, I’m learning to roll with the changes!

“Oh, you got to learn to roll with the changes (got to, got to, got to, got to…)
Keep on rollin’ (got to keep on)
Keep on rollin’
Oh, you got to learn to, got to learn to, got to learn to roll”

Stepping Up to Fear

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TeriWilliams
“Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.” – Bill Cosby

Could facing your fears really be that easy?  In most cases, I say YES loud and clear.

There is nothing that keeps us stuck more than fear.  It can be paralyzing both physically and emotionally.

Believe it or not there was a time that I was so afraid to speak in front of a group that I had to hire people to do it for me.  I would literally make myself sick.  Talk about NOT practicing what you preach.

When my father died, I wrote part of the eulogy – for my sister to read at his funeral.  I couldn’t do it, even for him, the man that constantly told me,“If you want to get anywhere in life, you have to stick your neck out”.  (After all, he was a turtle.)

When my son was a little boy (ok, he’ll always be my little boy).  Seriously, when he was 11, I took on the role of Pack Master for his school district.  That meant I had to speak to over 100 parents on a regular basis.  Nope!  Not me.  I coerced one of my friends to partner with me.  I did the writing and she did the speaking!  It was a great plan until she got sick.  With trembling knees I stepped up to the podium and read my speech.  Guess what – it was warmly welcomed.  I didn’t die, no one laughed at me, well maybe a little, I didn’t trip and fall; I’m still here to write about it.

Hindsight is a great teacher. What I realized was that I had been facing fears my whole life – MY WHOLE LIFE!  When you think about it, I bet you have too.  We all have a story around fear.

After that night, I made a list of all the ways I had stepped up to fear in the past.   Some were big fears, and some were little fears.   Here’s what part of my list looked like, and here’s what I did:

  • Fear of dogs after being bitten more than once – I have 2 dogs, really big dogs
  • Fear of being alone – I spend time alone – a lot
  • Fear of change – I embrace it
  • Fear of speaking – I host a radio show and give motivational speeches before hundreds of people
  • Fear of sobriety – I don’t drink (maybe that should be facing my demons)

There’s a lot more where that came from.  You get the picture.  Sometimes I take giant steps, and sometimes I take baby steps – I keep stepping into them and come out shining on the other side.

So when I read that quote from Bill Cosby, I shook my head up and down with a resounding YES.

Almost everything we do begins with a choice.  Simple as it sounds, you can choose to step past your fear and step into your greatness.

May I suggest you begin by imagining yourself as Gandalf the White Wizard – tell your fear “Thou shall not pass!”

 

Inner Joy

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Reconnecting with our inner joy, your soul self, is essential to creating peace in our lives and living a moreTeri soulful experience. It’s where we find our true happiness. You don’t need a 10 day vacation in the islands to hear her voice. (Okay, I admit that would be really nice right now). You can start tuning into your soul’s voice by practicing these 6 steps. For me, they have become a natural part of my everyday life.

  • Breathe deep at least 3 times per day – Stop whatever you are doing and take 3 deep, slow purposeful breaths – filling your lungs with oxygen and your soul with life. This brings a sense of inner tranquility and can soothe away any tension.
  • Take a 15 minute walk, preferably in nature – Simply walk at a pace that feels comfortable to you. Pay attention to the ebb and flow of the natural world. There is a sweet sensation that comes over us when we observe the synchronicity of life through animals and plants.
  • Laugh, laughter feeds the soul – Watch your favorite comedy, write down and relive the funniest thing that ever happened to you or simply sit and laugh. Laughter helps you take things light heartedly and is one of the best forms of medicine. Bonus…it’s FREE!
  • Listen to music everyday – Turn on your favorite tunes and listen. Sing if it makes you feel good, out loud if you can. Focusing on music can reduce pain, decrease depression and create a sense of calm.
  • Practice gratitude – Look forward to every day and be grateful for each moment. In any given minute we can find something to be grateful for; sometimes we simply don’t see it. Start a gratitude journal, share with your friends what you are thankful for, including them, practice saying, “Thank you” more often.
  • Of course, Smile! No explanation needed!

Practicing these simple steps often can make your life a little lighter. Creating room in your life for daily “soul care” is essential to living a Simple Soulful Life. “Thank you” for being here. I offer a deep bow and smile for you!

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