Admitting It

I don't know everything. 

There, I said it.

I can't fix everything either. 

And it just might always be this way.

Sometimes you just gotta own where you're at in life. Admit your faults, make known your needs, and turn to the ones that share life with you for love, comfort, and support. A nice warm blanket on mom's couch with a Disney movie and a cookie helps too.

I was sharing a story with some friends of mine this week over dinner.  As I told it, thinking I might inspire someone, I realized that I was the one who needed to hear it.  I cannot remember the story exactly so it is definitely paraphrased here, but credit does go to Liz Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love for sharing the original version.

In her dream, Liz was standing on the beach with a holy teacher. Together, they stood on the sand and watched the waves roll in.  It seemed a storm might be brewing because the waves grew and crashed and sprayed their faces with stinging, cold seawater.  The holy teacher looked over and said with most sincerity, "Liz, I have a task, just one task, for you. I want you to stop the ocean."

For a split second Liz thought he was joking but the "doer" inside grabbed the problem and ran with it. She drew sketches and considered theorems and turned the drawing this way and that, but to no avail. 

The holy man began laughing, quite loudly and with eyes sparkling at the thought that this woman actually believed she could control the ocean.

"Liz, Liz, Liz....Do you really think you have the power to stop those waves?"

So it goes with many of us. We see a problem and jump in head first, sure that with just the right amount of finesse we can fix it. But if you consider this story, you can surely see how silly it really is to believe we can control anything; that we can fix it; that it is in our toolbox to manhandle any issue and make it right. That we can stop the ocean.

Repeat after me:

I don't know everything.
I can't fix everything.
The situation just might always be this way.

Many times we step in, or should I say overstep, and wrassle issues that are not ours. I have lived this life and what I learned is that it takes that much longer for the situation to right itself when I try to throw it down on the ground and pin it.

Sometimes the only option is to stand on that beach and let the waves crash over you. The spray may sting your face like a thousand needles.  Or, it could be on a hot day and feel really good! Your shoes, long forgotten on your feet, might become soaked and your toes all shriveled up. The winds may die down and the waves begin to just lap at the sand and the clouds part to reveal a pink sunset in all of its glory. You may even begin to smile.

Whatever the case, acceptance of what you cannot change is imperative to achieving a peaceful life. Knowing your limits, knowing when an issue is yours to amend and knowing when it belongs to another to figure out, are important to understand. Usually it isn't doing anyone a favor when we step in where we do not belong. Each person must run their own race, own their own stuff, and look their own fear in the eyes.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference!

It is not in our power to change others. We can only change ourselves. That is BIG. Because changing ourselves IS in our power. With change comes hope. Change brings the possibility of a new direction, a new dream, a new outcome. 

So join me today. Admit and accept the things that you cannot change. Look for the things in yourself that you CAN change and do so courageously. Always pray that you will know the difference.

Stand on a sandy beach, rain or shine, and accept your limitations.  

God will meet you there.

Real Gurl Life....for real!

It is with joyful heart that I begin making Real Gurl Life come alive!  For over five years I have carried this dream in my heart. This week it finally appears to be on the verge of reality. I am giddy with excitement!

As you can read from the blog description above and the personal profile to the left, Real Gurl Life is all about living authentically.  It is sounds good to say but so much more difficult to do. When we are brave enough to be our true selves, then we can be truly happy.  Many folks never find this "sweet" spot in life.  It isn't perfect, but it sure feels good!

If you are wondering what credentials I have to bring to facilitate this program, I will say that this is a question I often ask myself. The resume is less than stellar, but here is what I have got:  I have a couple years of community college studying psychology.  I have worked through The Genesis Process with a small group successfully.  I then became a facilitator of the same, working with three groups weekly to move through the process of change.  I have raised a family.  I have worked in office administration for most of my life.  I have also spent some time in health insurance, web design, and most recently, physicians billing.  Oh, and I have a dog.  Does that count?

Seriously none of these things add up to credentials as considered by the world and yet, ALL of these things ARE my credentials.  Some people call it the "School of Hard Knocks." I call it "Surviving Ground Zero Moments and Living to Tell About It."

All I know is that when I successfully completed my turn in The Genesis Process and turned to being a facilitator, my whole being came to life. I felt awake.  I knew I had found something that I loved to do and I was pulled towards it like a magnet. I knew that I was completely fulfilled doing it.  There has not been one day that has passed since that I have not been yearning to help other women find the freedom that I found, in spite of everything I did to wreck it.

Real Gurl Life is in the process of becoming and it is thrilling to me to be able to talk about it beginning!

Here is a sneak-peek at the upcoming offerings!

First Look - This is a FREE, one-time introductory meeting with an overview of Real Gurl Life, course of study, types of help, and friendship building too.  
Commitment:  75 minutes  Cost:  FREE  Size of class:  Unlimited.

Explore - This a 4-week class that hits the highlights of personal change, offering common sense tools and exercises to assist in bringing life back into balance with authenticity and grace. Presented with a focus on family relationships and friendships.  Commitment: 75 minutes weekly.  Size of class:  maximum of 12.  Cost:  TBA

Dig Deep - This course is in two parts.  Each part is 12-weeks long and do not have to be concurrent, although preferred.  It is an in-depth, serious approach to discovering what holds you back from authenticity and how to create change that can last.  This class requires commitment to attendance, homework, and respect and confidentiality among group members. Commitment:  90 minutes for a 12-week session; two sessions required to complete the course. Class size will not exceed four participants.  Cost:  TBA  Required: Workbook and Bible.

Mining Me - This is an individual option when you desire one-on-one mentoring.  These can be ongoing, scheduled, weekly, or random and are at the request of the participant. This confidential time allows for open and honest talk with an emphasis on the individual needs.  Focus is on the life-path of the individual and evaluating options for moving forward into a fulfilling life.  

Seminars - Ranging from a range of books like TrueFaced or topics like co-dependency, plans are for a seminar to be held several times a year.  At times, guest speakers will also be invited.

Speaking Engagements -It is possible that your women's group is in need of a speaker for an event.  Please do not hesitate to ask!

Announcement coming soon about a First Look class to be held this summer! Stay Tuned!