As long as I am breathing, in my eyes, I am just beginning.
CRISS JAMI
New days are a quandary. Full of excitement for the upcoming opportunity and the pain of letting go.
Have you ever felt like you were destined for more but just didn’t know how to step into the new?
This is the dance of humanity. Every person who has stood on the precipice of change has battled to find courage for the leap. Tomorrow my latest book NEW DAYS launches and even though I am five books into this writing journey, tonight I sit here feeling more of a novice than ever before.
Maybe because I know more and when you have seen you responsible.
Maybe it’s because there are so many writers here on the internet.
Maybe it’s just those questions we all battle with like perfectionism, is it good enough and what if people don’t like it?
Despite all of this, I step forward into the unknown of a launch. Putting my thoughts and hearts out on the line. What about you? What’s your new? Where are you beginning again? What courage is needed for your tomorrow?
Here are three ways I am finding the courage to step into the new.
ONE: Gathering those who know me and reminding myself of my strengths.
Last Sunday I sat in a dear friends Lounge Room and wheeled out the whiteboard. I asked my friends to help me edit my life. They did a 360 review on my entrepreneurial journey and helped me find my “why” again. We started with what I wanted to be doing in five years time. The circle then brainstormed my strengths and what they believed I am really equipped and gifted to bring as my contribution. They then helped me edit that which was good, but for my season not great. It was such a powerful hour and a half that brought the most clarity I have had for my season in years.
“Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly, it’s your masterpiece.”
AGENT STEVEN
TWO: Being intentional in what I give my time to and saying goodbye to yesterday.
The last few years have been beautiful and so humbling. There have been many days where I wished I could sit in an office and discuss leadership principles and corporate strategies but I made a choice not too. I decided I would stay home with my kids and guess what? Next year is Libby’s last year at home full time with me. It is true what everyone says, it goes so fast and as much as I have wanted many times to escape it, to step into places of perceived influence. I surrendered to my season and I have had the profound opportunity to hang out with many people in their everyday, ordinary lives. However, I know change is coming and I am looking at the new and really being careful what I say yes too. Bringing it back to my foundations, discovering anything that I am saying yes to out of obligation rather than revelation.
“Your life is a sacred journey. It is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path… exactly where you are meant to be right now… And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing, of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity and of love.”
CAROLINE ADAMS
THREE: Asking myself questions and setting aside time to reflect.
The humble beginnings of my latest book began when I was a single woman desperate to see my dreams come true. I would sit in cafes watching families walk alongside me and dream of my “one day”. The questions that I have discovered over fourteen years have been refined and changed, weighed and sifted. The tools that I have uncovered have become life changing in the midst of seasons of in-between. Writing is a powerful tool for self-reflection and often as I wait for inspiration it comes with a companion, courage. Courage for me is not a loud rant on Facebook, it is a quiet whisper that says “I promise you can do this.” When we sit and reflect, write and release our future thanks us.
My question for you is this…
When was the last time you turned off your phone, social media, tv and distractions and reflected on your season and dreamed of your tomorrow?
“New Days” is available now for sale on my website. In three different formats. $9.95 Downloadable version. A printed version for $19.95 Australian residents only and a monochrome version for easy printing $9.95.
Come on, let’s find courage together.
And would you share this on social media for me, to your friends who would like to find courage for the new?
Amanda
