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Celebrating Possibility

7/29/2018

8 Comments

 
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I’ve never considered myself a particularly big risk taker, but as I reflect back on my life, I recognize that there have been plenty of chances taken along the way.  Since we can never really know how things will turn out, many possibilities require some degree of courage for us to step into them. 

With that said, there are some decisions that feel riskier than others.  Those moments when we’re trying something we really aren't sure we can do, taking a chance on our biggest dream, or putting our hearts out there on the line.  The times when it would just be easier to go on steadily doing what we’ve always done, what we know works, what feels comfortable… 

As I remember moments when I did take a chance, I can feel a huge smile throughout my whole being that tells me these times in my life are a big deal!  There is something enticing, magical,  rewarding (and scary) about stretching beyond what’s comfortable or known to go for something you really want. 

Two years ago today I had one of my biggest, most joyful OMG moments! I was in Taos when I had received a voicemail from my publisher saying, “I have good news about your book…”  Since I had just submitted my final approvals a few days earlier I presumed it was moving forward. No surprise there.  I’d call him on Monday when I was back home.   

But no… that night in the Albuquerque hotel I receive a text from a dear friend: “Your book is ON Amazon!  I just ordered it - it’ll be here Tuesday!”  What??  I hadn’t even held a copy in my own hands yet!  Are you kidding me?  Let me tell you, there is something very bizarre about searching for yourself on Amazon and finding your book there!  But a few clicks later, and, there it was!! 

I can still feel the heart-pounding, shaky, tingly, smiling from the inside out, beaming through every cell of my body feeling as I remember that moment.  It was truly surreal and magical… a dream come true! It had taken two years to get to that point and many moments of wondering if I'd ever see that day - doubt, fear, self-criticism... they all could have stopped me at any point along the way. 

Today I celebrate that moment because it represents the super-charged joy that comes from taking something that once felt impossible and bringing it into reality!  I celebrate it for me and for those around me who I see taking a chance every day.  I celebrate the times we step toward a greater goal even when things don't work out as we had hoped.  Because at least we have tried.

The opportunities we take often become our most rewarding memories  Buying a house, adopting a baby, changing careers, traveling across the world, putting in the proposal you never really expect to get, hosting your first art exhibit, starting a business, retiring, saying “yes” to that first date.  These are all decisions that come with vulnerability, challenge, and uncertainty. There is no guarantee of success or happiness, but there is a satisfaction that comes from knowing that you felt the nudge, and you went for it. 

Life is full of possibility, so make the choices that make you happy. The ones you know on some level you are meant to take. You should go for the opportunities that bring out your gifts, the ones that bring true joy, the ones that let you shine your light!  Life is short.  Life is uncertain.  So, for heaven’s sake, go for the joy of being fully alive while you’re here!  You don’t want to miss it. 

Somewhere inside we all know when there’s a chance worth taking. It often comes with a strange blend of excitement and anxiety, although there's no real danger.  Give yourself the possibility of finding amazing, unexpected joy, love, or the thrill of gazing at some creation that came about because you said “yes!” 

Grant yourself moments of awe as you take in the beauty around you – in the art you’ve created, the vacation you’ve allowed yourself to take, the home you've created, or the loving relationship you dared to let in.  Breathe it in – let it nourish your soul!  These moments deserve to be scattered throughout your life! 

Is there a place in your life where you’re holding back rather than going for something that is calling you?  What would help you take that first step? 

What chances have you taken and how have they been worth it? 

Please join the discussion in the comments below!  We love hearing from you. 

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If Not Now...

7/19/2018

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There is a beautiful song by Carrie Newcomer called “If Not Now” that has been playing in my mind a lot lately (and in my car because it’s on my playlist and I love it).  I love the way it reassures me that though there may be trouble, we will come together “to make the change we can.”  I love how it reminds us that “we may never see this moment or place or time again,” which gives me pause. 

It gives me pause because surely we will never see this moment again. 

It reminds me once again (because somehow I seem to forget) that really all we have for sure is this moment.  What’s already happened is in the past and cannot be changed.  What’s to come, we have no idea.  Life is plain and simple a series of unknown moments. 

“And yet we’ll take the journey, and walk it hand in hand…” (Carrie sings) as we step forward into the next moment.  Where that step will take us, we do not know.  What will come of the seeds we plant is yet to be determined.  And, still we must step and plant, finding faith that our actions and journey matter. 

So, what is it that is calling to you right now that you’re putting off or avoiding?  Sometimes we feel called to work that our heart knows is right for us but that scares us for one (or many) reasons.  There may be causes that you’d like to support if only you knew how.  Things you’d like to try but you don’t think you’re young enough, strong enough, or wise enough…  If you find yourself feeling scared and excited about the possibility, it’s at least worth exploring. 

Is there something you really want to do but you think you can’t until you retire, win the lottery or until the stars align just so?  What would it be like if you went ahead and did it now? 

Sometimes our stories of how things should beget in our way.  When I asked my husband to re-marry me, he thought for a minute and said, “but isn’t it only our 24th?” implying that these types of events typically occur on landmark anniversaries.  He’s right, but I wanted that recommitment ceremony then.  That was the time we needed something fun to plan for and to look forward to, and we needed to recommit our love to one another within a circle of loved ones.  Life had been hard for a long time. There was no reason to put it off for a year waiting for our 25th anniversary.  We went ahead and created the event, despite some initial hesitation and concern that we couldn’t find a place or get people to come on a busy day in June.  It remains one of the happiest, most meaningful days in our life. 

What's Your "If not now...?" 

Back to you… Are there relationships that need healing?  Love waiting to be expressed?  Kindness and compassion being withheld?  Trips you long to take but you’re waiting for that one special celebration?  A job situation you know is crushing your soul but it feels too hard to change? 


I’ve known too many people who put off til tomorrow what they want to do today and then when the long-awaited time comes, they’re too sick or they die before they ever have a chance to experience the joy they were waiting for.  Please don’t let this be you.

Two of my favorite mantras are “Why not, why wait?” and “Life is for living now!”  I am not suggesting anyone be foolish with their finances or responsibilities, but I am inviting you to seriously think about what you’re putting off.  Then ponder what the hesitation is about and see if there’s a way to move toward what you desire.  Sincerely ask yourself, “Why not?”  and give yourself an honest answer.  Weigh out the pros and cons.  Play out the scenarios… one where you go ahead and one where you don’t.  How do you feel when you’ve said “yes” vs. when you’ve said “no?” 

Thoughts?  Please share in the comments to let us know what comes up for you in this exploration and if there are any commitments you’re making to yourself right now. 

If I can support you through coaching or on a retreat, I’d love to!  Check out what's available at Inspired Possibility and let me know if you have any questions.  

P. S. Here’s Carrie Newcomer’s song, if you’d like to listen.  Maybe now? 
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What Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone?

9/1/2015

1 Comment

 
Neale Donald Walsch has said, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” and Laura Berman Fortgang taught me that “Discomfort equals growth.”  I believe and teach both of these concepts, AND at the same time I am very conscious that for me, things could also easily come to a screeching halt at the end of my comfort zone. 

When I’m uncomfortable, feeling out of my element, I get out of sorts really quickly and want to run and hide!  So, I could easily miss out on the opportunity that life is presenting me if I give in to that habitual pattern that is so deep inside me.

This awareness came up front and center this morning at my Nia dance class. It’s only my 4th class, and I missed last week because of vacation.  Today I felt all out of sorts – off rhythm and moving forward when the class was moving back or left when they were sliding right.  And, the more aware I become of how “off” I was, I felt myself pull back, tense up, and want to completely shut down rather than just let it be ok. 

This is supposed to be a fun class for me – a chance for exploration and expression in a new way. And what I felt today was very vulnerable and very awkward.  As I watched the teacher and other students move with a grace and ease that was beautiful and seemed effortless, I got more and more stuck in being still, tight, and wrong.  More and more stuck in my head. Surprisingly that didn’t help my grace and ease!  Go figure! 

As I walked over to get a drink between songs, for a brief moment I considered walking out almost in tears – just quitting.  My inner critic was having a field day telling me I wasn’t good enough. Asking “Why bother? You’ll never move like they do!” Declaring, “You can’t do this! What were you thinking?” “Just get out before anyone else notices how off you are or before you bump into someone.” 

No, the dance floor is not the space where I shine, but when I let myself, I can have a ball with it and my body thanks me for taking a risk to move in ways that are not natural or easy for me. When I compare myself to others, I feel more and more like a fool and imagine all eyes are on me (of course, they aren’t – no one else cares at all). 

I have a strong need to know how to do things and to get it right.  Today I couldn’t even hear because my ears were plugged and the acoustics are tough… so, I felt lost, flailing, and out of sorts. Definitely out of my comfort zone. 

The growth came in the moment when I decided to approach myself with some tenderness – to reassure and comfort myself so that I could come back to me and push myself to stay in the dance. 

Today reminded me of another significant time in my life when I was immensely challenged – three years ago I was in the Adirondacks facing fears I didn’t know I had.  Thankfully, I was with a group of wonderfully supportive people who helped me push past my mental barriers as I faced physical hurdles that I truly did not feel capable of overcoming.  As I watched others scale heights that scared me simply to look at and stretch themselves across tight ropes and balance beams, I found myself frozen halfway up the ladder toward what I had determined to be the easiest challenge. 

I wanted to come back down. I begged to come back down.  Our leader urged me to take a few steps past where I thought I could.  And, I did. Then I came down and thought I would walk away satisfied. Of course he knew better and helped me to see that I would not be satisfied if I didn’t even try. 

After quite a pep talk where I acted the petulant, resistant, stubborn child, and with the help of every person in that group, I put the harness on again and got back on the ladder. I triumphed over my mind with a determination that I would not stop climbing (for if I did, I surely would get frozen again).  I shouted out my intention to get across the wires to the wilderness and anyone within earshot. Scampered up the pole like Spider Man, and I did it! 

I honestly didn’t know if I would make it or not, but I am so grateful that I was able to face my fear of setting a goal I might not meet  – a fear so strong that it literally stopped me in my tracks.  It wasn’t my physical ability that was getting in my way. It was my mind and the stories that rapidly filled my head. 


Growth… and life’s finest opportunity… truly comes in those moments when we are paralyzed by fear or discomfort, and we do it anyway.  So, while today’s dance class wasn’t as joyful as I would have liked it to be, I took away just what I needed. I was able to witness what happens when I begin judging and comparing and finding myself falling short or feeling less than. And, I was able to keep on going. 

Where are you letting discomfort stop you and how can you move on through and see what’s waiting for you as you come out the other side? 

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    About me...

    I am a writer, coach, and teacher, and I love capturing life's many moments through writing, whether that be journalling, blogging, poetry, or essay.  I have always found the written word as a natural way for me to express what lies within.  

    This is the space where we get real.  I will write about my life experiences and things that I find my clients encounter in their daily lives.   

    What's real for you? What would you like me to write about?  Feel free to share with me topics you would like to see discussed and please join in the dialogue through the comment section. Your engagement makes the blog a much richer place to hang out!

    Thank you for joining me on this journey!!    

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Barb Klein
Inspired Possibility
585-705-8740
barb@inspiredpossibility.com