Posted on in Identity, personal development

A New Angle

To think; I’ve been placed here on a little 2 acre lot, teaming with life and love, to truly see just how deep, connected, and vast life really is.

Know these things: I believe that perpetual personal development is essential to happiness and fulfillment in life. Also, I believe that pain is the divinely appointed catalyst to change, and change demands growth. Simply, life involves pain and we will meet it at set appointments throughout the journey of living.

Often pain comes through a gradual building of pressure. The ups and downs of life can sometimes tip towards overwhelm with things that need to be experienced. This has been true for me a few times in my journey. Recently, a combination of big shifts and smaller tensions had set me off balance and searching for clarity. Although I did not lack peace, I was not in a comfortable space in my emotions. For me, this indicates work to be done, and so I did.

Very recently I had an epiphany. My overwhelm resolved quite quickly into a peaceful understanding. I used a visual analogy to describe the very abstract resolution in my mind, it follows. Eggs fit nicely into egg cartons. Pears do not. Both an egg and a pear have similar purpose, similar characteristics, and are certainly useful. I have been a pear trying to squeeze into an egg carton. Now that I can see the pear from the egg, it makes sense. My pear represents emotions and beliefs which seemed to set me apart from the eggs I was among. That part of me, representative of the greater whole, doesn’t look like a carton full of eggs all alike. It looks a lot like a bowl of fruit with more color, shapes, flavors, and excitement. I better understand my peace now.

Posted on in personal development

Growing and Going

I love plants and life. We can learn so much from all levels of life, including our life-giving green friends. Let me be honest; I wish I were more of a gardener. I’ve had moments in life where I’ve had my hand in growing things and making beautiful life bloom. More often though, I fail at keeping little chlorophyll darlings alive. It’s really hit-or-miss for me. In the wild, where only God gets the credit for what grows and thrives, I love being a mindful observer.

In some ways we are a lot like plants. God gives as a start, roots, and nurtures us to grow. We need Sonlight and the flowing water of the Holy Spirit. We must be pruned in order to produce good fruit. And if God chooses to uproot us and transfer us somewhere else, it is in our best interest to not resist but to trust him, take root, and grow through the changes.

Sometimes we need to just be where we are planted and grow. In fact, much of life is a matter of growing as we go through both times of downpour and drought. In my life, I have many moments of feeling stuck in a certain place where growth was hard and painful. I also have many moments where growth was a freeing as wildflowers, and maybe just as beautiful. The parts of my story where there was uprooting, transplanting, and going somewhere different; in every case it made me stronger and more able to see the Father’s love for me.

Does this resonate with you?

Posted on in Personal Thoughts

Logo Reveal

I am so excited to get to share this with you! I am an artist at heart and visuals are so important to me. When I decided to develop a logo, a symbol of my core values that would represent my work, I knew exactly where to go. I contacted the most amazing graphic artist I know; Dalton Mault. Seriously, check him out here > His Calling Photo and Design and here > His Calling Design
Follow him because he’s awesome and you might just need the best graphic artist around in your near future.

Dalton was able to listen to all of my thoughts and many words and turn them into an amazing picture. The first thing you see is a tree. I have long used trees in my analogies. If you have read my writing or worked with me you likely know that. Trees symbolize so much to me; strength, growth, renewal, nature, environment, shelter, spirituality – the Tree of Life. I could write pages on the symbolism and what I see. The roots being revealed in the graphic is significant because of the kind of work I do. Roots are literal and metaphorical – all things are connected. There you see where the tag line came about in this process!

Next you will notice this isn’t a portrait of realism. My tree has a special twist! That twist in the trunk is a symbol of the likeness of DNA. This is such a powerful image because DNA is the foundation of identity. Maybe you know where I’m going with this? My niche, the one thing that consistently comes into view in my work, is identity. The “DNA” comes from the roots but nothing is hopeless because roots, like branches, can be cut, pruned, grafted, and changed!

This is my passion and my logo graphic captures it so well. I’m truly pleased with his work and this is a perfect image to represent Sanders Connected. I put my heart into what I do and everything has meaning! You will be seeing this banner and logo across the many platforms I engage with. When you need custom graphic work or your own logo, get in contact with my friend Dalton, I highly recommend him!

Posted on in Personal Thoughts

Big Dreams and Big Plans

Thank you to my followers for keeping up and giving your support. I truly hope you are blessed here! If you are in the inner circle, you already know the plans that have been in progress for the last 6 months. If you don’t already know, there is a lot going on!
I’ve taken a pause from some writing in order to organize some outlets. Website development, contract revising, program development, social media growth, continuing education, and networking are among the things that have been priority for the first half of 2021.

Maybe you have noticed some of the new integrations here? Now you can connect via Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. It’s all a work in progress but I am so thankful for those of you who are growing with me!

The biggest feature of this year has been and will be the program I am developing. Very soon you will have access to a course for personal development. It’s kind of a big deal! It is the first of a series of tools I want to make available. I am taking the common threads of things that pop up with frequency among my clients and getting “the basics” down in a way that a person can begin their journey and make significant changes in life with an at-your-own-pace indirect coaching system.
If you have worked with me, follow me, support me, and have benefited from what I share; this tool will be something you will want to share with the people you know! More details to come.

If you’ve made it this far, will you do something for me? Comment below with how you were lead to this post. Did you get a subscription email? Did you follow a link on social media? Did someone send it to you? I would love to hear HOW my content is reaching you so I can dial in the best ways to keep it up. You’re wonderful! Stay tuned for more to come.

Posted on in Personal Thoughts, Success

The Myth of Multitasking

In the corporate world, diversity of ability is an asset. If one person can do the jobs of three people, that person can save the company the cost of personnel and make more money by completing more work. Some people believe that the ability to do multiple jobs is necessary to be successful. Maybe you are one of them. The value of honing a craft and being very skilled at one thing seems lost in time in some ways.

Even if you are not in the corporate business world, you may believe in the same principles of productivity on a personal level. The image of “Super Mom” who is the perfect mom, wife, housekeeper, secretary, manager, personal assistant, accountant, taxi, etc. still exists as a model that women of all ages strive for. It seems that many believe that being busy equates to being successful.

Often when you are “multitasking” you are simply transitioning among different tasks quickly and efficiently. It is a matter of organization. Understandably, organization is a productive strength. The trouble comes when this becomes a preferred mode of functioning or a lifestyle. Busyness without adequate rest builds toxic stress.

Take an inventory of your activities. Would you consider yourself a busy person? Are you overworking because you lack boundaries? Is it a season or a lifestyle? Are you getting rest; physically, mentally, and thoroughly?

This is a friendly reminder: Take care of yourself. Rest is essential to thriving.

Posted on in mindset, Success

Mindset Power

You will find what you’re looking for.

What if I tell you that you have the power to create your reality? Would you believe it? What would you do with that power?

There is a reality absent of thoughts or feelings. It is made of facts and laws. It is a fact that it is 73 degrees Fahrenheit in Ohio today. It is natural law that as the acorns are released from the tree they will fall to the ground and not float suspended in the air.

There are also many versions of reality which exist in the minds of those who perceive the natural world. Your perception is your reality. That is affected by facts and truth as well as input from others that we accept. We have great influence and power to change how we see things.

Perception is about focus. What I focus on will shape my perspective. In simplest form; perspective can either be positive or negative. Attributing “good” and “bad” can be a learned behavior. It is a way that boundaries are modeled and manipulated. For example; children are told what is bad and taught to avoid such. We also can choose what is positive or negative personally by what aligns with the truth that we accept.

If your focus is on negatives, limitations, and obstacles, that is what you will see in front of you. You will find what you’re looking for. Focus on what is positive, opportunities, and possibilities, if you want to shift your reality.

Posted on in Emotions

The Mess of Being Human

Everything you experience will be human. So you can only get as high as a human can fly and you can only go as low as a human can fall. We are never greater than what is possible. You are always enough as you are and you are worthy of all you can receive. Isn’t life so simple?

Let me tell you what it’s like for me; being human. Most of the time I am aware of myself. I own my thoughts and feelings. I respond to my internal guidance as well as the world around me. I see the target of my goals and execute the movements that will reach them. I feel accomplished, successful, and capable. From this vantage point, I lead others and enjoy my contribution of good to the world. That’s flying high.

Then there’s the raw experience of being both grounded and supernatural. Being human is having two feet; one in each world. The physical part is grounded in a physical world. It’s connection with nature, the sensations of connection with humankind, and an awareness of bodily needs. The spiritual nature of being human comes with awareness of something more than what we see. It’s faith, hope, and the experience of love. There’s no ego in the middle here. It’s just accepting what is.

Anything which can fly can also fall. This is polarity in action. If it goes up it must come down. This is where being human is messy. The height of emotional awareness and pouring good into the world requires balance and an overflow. Sometimes we lose our balance. It’s ok.

Let me tell you what it’s like for me; the falling. I can say it’s not often that I struggle with my thoughts or emotions. Of course, I walked a long road to get here and I’ve not always been so collected. Sometimes life is just too much to hold on my own shoulders. I walk with people daily; listening, feeling, sorting, offering reflections, and helping to lighten their load. Sometimes I don’t leave enough room for myself. Of course, I can’t predict when things outside of myself will become too heavy. I love many people and so I care deeply. When someone close is hurting, I feel it.

Unchecked emotions impact how I perceive the world and therfore respond to it. Here’s the good news; the moment I recognize there is disorder, I can execute movements to nurture and love myself back to order.

Emotional temperature check: how is what you’re feeling impacting your perception and reactions?

Posted on in Spirituality

Silent Night

The season of Christmas is typically full of fun, good wishes, and loving exchange. From the music to the gatherings, Christmas is all about joy and peace on earth. Yet, there is a part of the holiday season that is rarely spoken of; the darker side.

To the widower, Christmas might be a lonely time of memories that comes with tears. To the empty nester, it’s truly a silent night. To the mother and father who have lost a child, it might be a struggle to see other families having what they can no longer experience. To the orphan, maybe another year of hope for a family that feels as though it’s slipping away. To the broken hearted, the sentiment of the season might be lost from their sight. The truth is there are many people who are struggling every day and Christmas is no different. There is no Santa Clause and there is no magic to make life easy.

That is quite a depressing reality. However, I don’t believe that the pain of life comes without hope. In fact, the stories of Santa Clause do not hold a candle to the true gift of Jesus. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

I recently saw a statement (author unknown) which said, “The first Christmas was simple. Yours can be too.” It was in the spirit of minimalism and speaking against consumerism and the commercial and material driven holiday. It stuck with me. When everything else is out of place or falling apart, when people disappoint, when expectations fail; Jesus is enough. This is a fitting concept for Christmas but certainly it applies to everything else! When I look away from what truly matters, before long nothing really matters. Yet, when I focus on everything I have in my Savior, all the troubles and heartache of the world fade to the background.

So tonight and for the many silent nights ahead; I am grateful for True Love and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.

Posted on in Personal Thoughts

Transformation

There are moments in life when we come to a crossroad, an opportunity, a challenge, or a catalyst for change. I’ve encountered this place many times along my journey. Usually there is some personal reflection required; an assessment of where I am and where I want to be. In the most critical moments the question becomes one of Who I am and Who I want to be. Maybe it’s all the same; who I am, where I am, and what I am. Aren’t they all facets of my existence?

This season, and this year, have involved a lot of reflection and processing for me. One thing that I have observed is how my writing has changed. “Once upon a time” I wrote very emotional, personal, inspired pieces. I wrote poetry, stories, and songs. I shared myself in a creative, artistic outlet. Then I learned to shield myself in response to pain.

I have notebooks full of secrets. Beautiful words that remind me of moments and feelings that I once lived in. They are mine and I have kept them close so that others cannot see into me. When I began to write again I birthed a different way to tell stories. I took an academic pose that allowed me to think, process, and reflect without exposing myself through it. Admittedly, I’ve gained a lot from this approach. Projecting my thoughts has helped me and others along the way. There is nothing inherently wrong, or right, in that process.

Now I find myself once again in this place of existential tension; poised for change. I am missing that voice from within which used to be so profound. There is a version of me that has been present; coping with the unexpected in life. But there is a whole of me that has been hiding and healing. The theme of this year for me is transformation. A lot has been going on in this chrysalis of my mind and I am about to break free and spread my wings.

Posted on in personal development

Are you afraid to fail?

One thing I do is help people recognize and then overcome fear. Almost everyone I speak with has some sort of fear. Usually, fear appears tangibly through anxiety or depression. To put some perspective to this; if I talk with just 20 people each week that is over 1000 people in the course of a year. Over the years I have spoken with thousands of individuals.

The most common fear I encounter is the fear of failure. To not be good enough, to not do enough, to lose a relationship, to lose a job, to not make it far enough in a career, to mess up as a parent and ruin a child; there are so many ways that people believe they could fail. What is failure, really?

What if I told you the only way to fail is to give up or self sabotage by never starting at all? Anything you really want out of life can be yours. Rarely do we achieve anything instantly. Life requires commitment, patience, perseverance, and follow through. Do you cringe at those words? Many people do. If those are the attributes to success, why do so many people avoid them?

It is because You are afraid to succeed. That is the true fear. You cannot be afraid to fail unless you expect to fail. You cannot fail if you learn, grow, and continue to try. So in reality, the fear of failure is actually the fear of success. What would success mean to you? Would it require more time, attention, and energy of you? Would success mean living up to a higher standard? Would success mean personal responsibility?

Think of someone you admire. What qualities do they have that attract you? I would expect that anyone you view as successful and admirable would possess some particular character traits. I am willing to bet they are committed, patient, perseverant, responsible, and organized with their time and energy. So how does one get from a state of fear to a state of success?

It’s all about mindset. What you believe, you will be. Remember the post I wrote on thought seeds? Everything begins in the thought realm. There is power in what you think and anything you continue to think repeatedly becomes your belief. Success or failure is completely within your control.