As I read, I am often inspired by words that provoke reflection on my personal journey in search of my authentic self. Today was no different as I came across the following quote from Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach: “The search for authenticity is like living on a fault line; you never know when the earth is going to move beneath your feet.”
Here in Newfoundland & Labrador, an earthquake of sorts was felt amongst all people when Premier Danny Williams announced his retirement after more than a decade in public life. People are shocked and bewildered. Along with well wishes for his future endeavours, there are murmurs of fear... What will become of us now?
These same limiting beliefs haunt all of us who embark on life changing journeys into the unknown. It is imperative that we keep our minds focussed on our vision of success so we may continue to be motivated to move forward and make choice that are in alignment with that vision, even when we are shaken by unexpected events. We must stand firm, proud and determined to succeed. That is the way Danny Williams led the government and people of Newfoundland & Labrador. It is a legacy to be respected and honoured.
Let those words resonate with your soul as you move forward and create a new reality that reflects your personal vision of success. Be proud. Be determined. The search for authenticity can be a bumpy road with unexpected twists and turns, and even major chasms that test your resolve and provide an excuse for you to give up hope. It can also be an opportunity for you to rise to the challenge and be an inspiration to everyone around you. As Marianne Williamson so eloquently reminds us, “As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
Thank you, Premier Williams, for inspiring the people of our province to follow your lead and step into authenticity. God bless.
Professional Motivator, Lisa Payne, finds inspiration in everyday events to help others embrace their potential.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Got Ecstasy?
As I write this title, I realize there could be many connotations of this word, ecstasy. Well, now that I have your attention, read on, considering these wonderful words from Emily Dickinson as inspiration to Embrace Your Potential: "The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience."
In her fantastic book, Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach describes the ecstatic experience as “what excites us or moves us to tears, what makes the blood rush to our head, our hearts skip a beat, our knees shaky, and our souls sigh”. When I read this today, I was inspired to share my thoughts and check in with my readers just to see how they are doing on their journey of Living in Possibility.
My life is a busy one filled with different lines of business, volunteer work, family commitments, a wide circle of friends who keep my social life hopping, and serious commitment to myself for me-time. I am a high energy person who is always on the lookout for new and exciting experiences to cultivate and enhance the level of passion and purpose in my life.
On my journey, I have found myself challenged to find others whose lives include, as a major purpose, the search for ecstasy. With this in mind, I decided to take this dilemma to the streets (aka ‘cyberspace’) and ask:
When you think about your life, do you see much expression of ecstasy?
Are you inspired by a purpose that brings you feelings of ecstasy on a regular basis?
Do the mere thoughts of your existence and the possibilities that lie ahead leave you shaking in your boots and wanting to scream and shout?
If you have answered, Yes, please call me! If you have answered, No, call me, too. As a Professional Motivator, I help individuals and organizations define and execute their vision of success. I can help you create ecstasy at home, at work, at play, and at peace. All you have to do is ask. Check in with my through my website: http://embracingpotential.com.
In her fantastic book, Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach describes the ecstatic experience as “what excites us or moves us to tears, what makes the blood rush to our head, our hearts skip a beat, our knees shaky, and our souls sigh”. When I read this today, I was inspired to share my thoughts and check in with my readers just to see how they are doing on their journey of Living in Possibility.
My life is a busy one filled with different lines of business, volunteer work, family commitments, a wide circle of friends who keep my social life hopping, and serious commitment to myself for me-time. I am a high energy person who is always on the lookout for new and exciting experiences to cultivate and enhance the level of passion and purpose in my life.
On my journey, I have found myself challenged to find others whose lives include, as a major purpose, the search for ecstasy. With this in mind, I decided to take this dilemma to the streets (aka ‘cyberspace’) and ask:
When you think about your life, do you see much expression of ecstasy?
Are you inspired by a purpose that brings you feelings of ecstasy on a regular basis?
Do the mere thoughts of your existence and the possibilities that lie ahead leave you shaking in your boots and wanting to scream and shout?
If you have answered, Yes, please call me! If you have answered, No, call me, too. As a Professional Motivator, I help individuals and organizations define and execute their vision of success. I can help you create ecstasy at home, at work, at play, and at peace. All you have to do is ask. Check in with my through my website: http://embracingpotential.com.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sing Out Loud!
My beautiful 9-year-old daughter Sydney asked me tonight I was ever in Choir. I was putting her to bed with the four songs I’ve been singing to her over the past 6 years: Hush Little Baby; You are my Sunshine; I Love you, You Love Me; and Twinkle, Twinkle. It’s not much of a repertoire but it has held us in good stead and created a special moment for us each night. It the midst of change, tradition is nice, too.
I asked her why she wanted to know. She said, “Because you are a really good singer, Mom.” Now, those of you who know me really well are probably doing what I was doing: mouth, first agape, turned into a big smile and then I replied, “Well, honey. That is really nice of you to say. In fact, I was in choir once, and I was asked not to sing too loudly because I was off-key.” I went on to explain how difficult it was to hear that message as a child particularly because I loved to sing. I told her that I held on to that judgment of me for the remainder of my days.
My daughter hears me sing all of the time: when I’m getting ready in the morning, as I drive her to school, when I’m making dinner, and when I tuck her in. I have always been a singer – but one with no training and, as I have come to believe, no tune. I realized that when I sing, I sing because I love to sing and that’s it. And that’s what she sees. I’m not doing it for the praise. I gave up on that years ago. I told her the story of elementary music teacher who would call attendance by singing, “Lisa Payne” and I had to repeatedly, with great pains, respond in sing-song, “Here I am!” over and over until she finally moved on someone else who, clearly, sang it much better than I. Recalling this tonight and sharing this story with Sydney was the premise of a great conversation about giving over our power. I reminded her (it was not the first such chat) that, in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
For all the Sydneys out there who are just starting out in life and for all the adults out there yearning to Embrace Your Potential, let’s Sing Out Loud!!!
Tonight I am most grateful for Sydney and her brother, Joel, who have always thought I was the best singer (and mother) in the world. They are my inspiration and my greatest teachers.
I asked her why she wanted to know. She said, “Because you are a really good singer, Mom.” Now, those of you who know me really well are probably doing what I was doing: mouth, first agape, turned into a big smile and then I replied, “Well, honey. That is really nice of you to say. In fact, I was in choir once, and I was asked not to sing too loudly because I was off-key.” I went on to explain how difficult it was to hear that message as a child particularly because I loved to sing. I told her that I held on to that judgment of me for the remainder of my days.
My daughter hears me sing all of the time: when I’m getting ready in the morning, as I drive her to school, when I’m making dinner, and when I tuck her in. I have always been a singer – but one with no training and, as I have come to believe, no tune. I realized that when I sing, I sing because I love to sing and that’s it. And that’s what she sees. I’m not doing it for the praise. I gave up on that years ago. I told her the story of elementary music teacher who would call attendance by singing, “Lisa Payne” and I had to repeatedly, with great pains, respond in sing-song, “Here I am!” over and over until she finally moved on someone else who, clearly, sang it much better than I. Recalling this tonight and sharing this story with Sydney was the premise of a great conversation about giving over our power. I reminded her (it was not the first such chat) that, in the words of Eleanor Roosevelt: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
For all the Sydneys out there who are just starting out in life and for all the adults out there yearning to Embrace Your Potential, let’s Sing Out Loud!!!
Tonight I am most grateful for Sydney and her brother, Joel, who have always thought I was the best singer (and mother) in the world. They are my inspiration and my greatest teachers.
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