Hi There!
I don’t know about you, but this time a year is pure madness for me. From getting gifts for loved ones, shipping books (YAY!), holiday parties and events for my daughter, Ellie, getting organized financially and at home before the New Year, as well as creating a plan of action for 2016—I haven’t stopped going since Thanksgiving!
But, honestly, I LOVE IT! I come from a hustle-and-bustle family, and although I love me some alone downtime, I find I do better mentally, physically, and emotionally when I am busy doing things that are important to me. I learn mostly by doing, so the more I do, the more I learn what to do and what not to do. When I have too much downtime, I have a tendency to start overthinking. That’s when fear creeps in, I experience paralysis by analysis, and I shy away from new opportunities or from doing the important things I know challenge me and create the most growth in my life.
It’s true what they say about forward momentum and the importance of riding that wave as long as you can. Ever since giving my new keynote speech last week, I have been on this high of wanting to book as many speaking events as I can. Having people come up to me and tell me my message spoke to them and what they are going through inspired me to be brave, take risks, and put myself out there so I can have more opportunities to encourage someone through the journey God gave me to share.
Sometimes in life, we just say yes to opportunities, not knowing what the outcome will be or where it will all lead. This was pretty much the case for me when I started sharing our family’s story. I simply knew I was supposed to tell it because I felt my late husband, Andrew, wanted more time to share the message from his book, A Gray Faith. So I decided to be his voice and just say yes, even when I didn’t have all the skills or knowledge of how to do it or where it would lead. Mind you, this is all completely against my perfectionist mentality to do this. I used to not put myself out there because I never felt like I had a good enough product or service, so I just continued to dream a lot and read a lot of books, hoping that one day some book or online program would inspire me to push past my fear of failing to suddenly start taking massive action.
But it didn’t go down like that at all. For me, it took watching my husband take purposeful action to achieve his life dreams despite his significant challenge of facing cancer to realize what Andrew wrote in his book, The Ellie Project, “Courage doesn’t come because you are big, strong, or without fear. Courage comes because you aren’t big, you aren’t strong, and you do fear, but you don’t give up!” It was through watching Andrew conquer his fears to create a lasting legacy that woke me up to the reality that time waits for no one and the time to create, live, and do is now! Fear was no longer an excuse I could live with after what I experienced with Andrew.
So my encouragement to you today is to start saying yes to opportunities and activities that light you up. Spend more time taking action than you do thinking about taking action. Start where you are and take it one step at a time. Trust that you will be guided toward what’s next. I believe God has a beautiful work to do in and through your life, and it is our duty to connect to Him and to be of service to the world. You are the only you there will ever be, which makes you one-of-a-kind! So honored to spend time with you today! Love and Blessings.
PS – Less than three weeks until Christmas! Looking to share the gift of learning the ABCs, as well as build lifetime character lessons with a special child in your life? To get your copy of The Ellie Project or The Ellie Project Stationery Set, click here!
PPS – If you want me to come speak and sign some Ellie Project books, shoot me an email at [email protected]. My speech is powerful, inspirational, and about living your legacy today! It’s good for men and women, corporate groups, mom’s groups, Bible Study groups, community groups, etc. Big or small, group size is of no importance. I am excited to come share this powerful message with you!
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