Archive for September, 2009
Posted by Kathleen Gage on
September 23, 2009
There is no time like the present to right a wrong
No time like the present to forgive yourself or another
No time like the present to love as if today is the last
No time like the present to extend the hand of friendship asking nothing in return
No time like the present to simply give to another
No time like the present to be there to hear another in their time of despair, time of fear, time of confusion
There is no time like the present to simply love for the sake of love
A love that expects nothing in return
A love that is purely from the space of the heart
When you are lonely be a friend
When you are hungry find someone to feed
When you are fearful find someone to console
It is in the ability to get outside of our own needs we are able to find the greatest comfort, love and meaning.
~Kathleen Gage
Posted by admin on
September 19, 2009
An amazing example of an unstoppable woman who overcame adversity is Sarah Walker. You have probably never heard of Sarah Walker but she caught my attention a few years ago. In 1905 Sarah developed a conditioning treatment for straightening hair.
Starting with door-to-door sales of her cosmetics, Sarah Walker amassed a fortune. In 1910 she built a factory in Indianapolis to manufacture her line of cosmetics. Before her death in 1919 she was a millionaire, one of the most successful business executives in the early half of the twentieth century. She was one of the first American women of any race or rank to become a millionaire through her own efforts.
Did Sarah have all the ducks lined up for her financial success? Absolutely not!
Sarah’s parents were both ex-slaves and Sarah was orphaned by the age of seven. Not a powerful start for anyone, especially a small black girl in the late 1800’s. Because of her impoverished background she had only a limited formal education. She was married at fourteen, “to get a home”, and had a daughter but was widowed at twenty.
For eighteen years, she supported herself and her daughter working as a washerwoman. Then Sarah had an idea to begin a cosmetics business. She added the prefix Madame to her name and took to the road marketing her hair products door-to-door. Tenacity, creativity, perseverance, determination and hard work made Sarah Walker the successful woman she was. Remember, if she can do it, so can you!
Jan Janzen is a non-denominational minister, healer and business coach. She is the author of two books and 8 CDs for the spiritual entrepreneur. To receive Jan´s complimentary ebook: 10 Secrets to Living the Life of Your Dreams, visit www.janjanzendaily.com
To enjoy more writings from Jan’s writings and the other Overcomers, Inc. authors CLICK HERE for our free E-Book “Overcoming Adversity With Grace”.
Technorati Tags: adversity, how to overcome adversity, Overcomers
Posted by admin on
September 16, 2009
Being an entrepreneur is just a big, fat pile of “firsts”! Sometimes you think they will never end – especially in the beginning years. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed with the unending litany of new and uncomfortable tasks; business plans, sales, accounting, bookkeeping, websites, creating products, packaging services, renting space, social networking…the list goes on and on.
All we want to do is practice our craft, yet in order to get people into our practice and do just that, we are forced to do all of this other “stuff” to get there. Hmmm, does it sound like I’m speaking from experience? Let me share with you what I’ve learned about pushing forward when all you want to do is pull back…
Here are 6 steps you can take today to get you through your “Why the &%$# am I doing this!” moments:
- Big Picture: Revisit your vision. Remember why you decided to start your business in the first place, and focus on the results you are working to realize. Look at the big picture. Also, connect with something bigger than yourself and the knowing that you will be ok. This too shall pass. (…and it will pass faster after you do it!)
- Cry it Out: Sometimes you just need to curl up in a ball and cry “Why! Why! Why!” Then you wipe away your chocolate-tinged tears and get back to work! It’s your life and it’s your business. Allow yourself time to express your frustrations in the way that works for you, and then move on.
- Take a Step Back: Avoid leaping to drastic conclusions like assuming that just because you haven’t had any new clients this month, that your practice will fail. Challenge any limiting beliefs and do a reality check on what’s really true about this situation and review what makes you so brilliant!
- Get “Quality” Support: Imagine having someone who can either do the work you hate and are avoiding, or someone who has a formula for doing what you struggle with? Your struggle is someone else’s talent – find them and ask them to help you. Find someone who specializes in the type of support you are looking for. In today’s entrepreneurial world the resources are abundant – VA’s, coaches, home study programs, books etc. Plan, interview and do your homework so that you are working with the resource that will serve your needs the best.
- Get Over It! Yup, that pretty much sums it up. Step up to the plate, take responsibility for the choice you made to go into business for yourself. You are stronger, more talented, gifted and brilliant than you give yourself credit for. Only by stretching and doing the uncomfortable will you be able to know how strong you really are. Flex those business muscles!
- Take Action: It’s imperative to take the steps you need to move forward in creating the business and life you want to have. YOU WILL NOT GROW YOUR BUSINESS HIDING IN YOUR OFFICE, BEHIND YOUR COMPUTER OR BURRIED IN YOUR 100TH SPIRITUAL GROWTH COURSE! You know what needs to be done to grow your business – and if you don’t – ask someone who does!
Remember, when it comes to firsts, after you’ve done it once, you’ve overcome not knowing how to do it, and it’s not a first anymore! Add one more thing to your list of things you know how to do.
You went into business for yourself to serve the world in a way that only you can. You have all that it takes to live your dream!
Kimberly Martin is a Certified Executive Coach and Principal of Martin Business Leadership, which creates custom business relationship strategies for health and wellness providers. They’ll help you grow your business, bring in new clients, solidify existing relationships and have enjoyable, authentic, effortless selling interactions! Visit www.MartinBusinessLeadership.com
To enjoy more writings from Kimberly’s writings and the other Overcomers, Inc. authors CLICK HERE for our free E-Book “Overcoming Adversity With Grace”.
Technorati Tags: adversity, how to overcome adversity, Overcomers
Posted by admin on
September 9, 2009
Just today, I heard a song on my car radio that reminded me powerfully of a time when I was listening to that very song in my car, and praying desperately for the hand of God in my life. Back in the early 80’s, I was married, pregnant, diabetic, nauseous, and fearful. Every day while driving, I played my one tape, Anne Murray, and listened to her sing, “I Want To Sing You a Love Song”.
As I sang along, I felt such a mix of emotions – love for my unborn baby, worried about the impact of my diabetes on his or her health, and dread that my husband’s drinking, which had escalated tenfold since I became pregnant, would ultimately destroy our new family. Much as I wanted to be a peaceful incubator for my unborn child, I could not control these disturbing thoughts. I prayed constantly for help – that labour would go well, that the baby would be well, that my husband would be well, that ALL would be well.
Within a short time, my son was safely delivered, but my husband was gone. Reluctantly, I started a life very different from the one I had dreamed of, and very similar to the one I had feared. At the time, I remember thinking that my prayers must have fallen on deaf ears. But looking back now, I think that the problem lay with the prayers, not with the answer or lack of it. My prayers had a demand quality that I did not see at the time. They included requests that my husband stop drinking, that he get a new job, that he step up to the plate as a father. But in fact, he did none of those things; he just disappeared. And I survived anyway.
To be truthful, I did more than survive; I flourished, and my son flourished right along with me. Once I accepted that we were not doing Plan A, but had moved to Plan B, I was able to get with the program. I started to lose my fear and access my internal resources. I wrote a plan of the goals I had for myself as a parent, what I wanted to teach my son, and how we could have fun together. I created a home for us with our own picket fence. And I changed the way I prayed. I had grown up and so had my prayers. I no longer gave God his To Do list. Instead, I started to hold the possibility that God WAS there all along; was always there; and my job was to trust that. Now, I have both certainty and uncertainty in equal measure in my life.
I am certain that there is a plan, and that it is for our ultimate good. I am uncertain how the plan will unfold. But I don’t worry about it as much. I accept that our lives move us into the mystery and while we may try to discern God’s will, we cannot know the mind of God. I still pray for others, and myself but I leave it to God to figure the “how” since he seems to have a better handle on that than I do. And my prayers are often prayers of gratitude, for the beauty and peace in my life, and yes, for the adversity and uncertainly that I now understand is a hallmark of the human journey.
Margaret Sarkissian, M.A. (Counseling Psychology), Certified Coach, is a skilled consultant, trainer, and business/life coach. She has worked with 200+ managers helping them address serious workplace problems and has developed and facilitated hundreds of workshops on coaching and communication skills, diversity and inclusion, building respectful workplaces, strategic planning, and appreciative living.
www.ClearPerspectives.ca.
Technorati Tags: adversity, how to overcome adversity, Overcomers
Posted by admin on
September 7, 2009
Overcoming Life Transitions
(in honor of Lynne Klippel)
Most people associate ‘overcoming’ with getting past life events that impact us the most, including someone dear returning to Source.
Much less than getting through, overcoming is allowing the full impact of the moment to reveal the sacredness within. To sit in silence, allowing the depth and fullness to embrace us is characteristic of a true overcomer.
Being an overcomer isn’t about rushing through life’s experiences—any of them—to find relief or feel better, for relief in any form is not the goal. Making peace within the current moment in its innate perfection is where overcomers most often find themselves.
Charlon Bobo is the visionary behind EditCopyProof. Affectionately known as the “conscious copywriter,” she provides wordsmithing solutions for conscious entrepreneurs including copywriting, editing, proofreading and book writing services that effectively resonate with your audience. Connect. Serve. Create community. Increase–Sales. Credibility. Exposure. www.EditCopyProof.com
To enjoy more writings from Charlene and the other Overcomers, Inc. authors CLICK HERE for our free E-Book “Overcoming Adversity With Grace”.
Technorati Tags: adversity, how to overcome adversity, Overcomers
