Almost one year ago, I went on a cruise that has changed my life for ever. I went on a cruise in hopes of getting a publishing contract with Hay House. I didn't get the contract, instead, I got to know amazing people, with incredible stories and inspiring messages. One of these people is Vanessa Talbot. After the cruise, I worked with Vanessa for 6 weeks as she launched a new business, coaching for writers - Writers Success Creation.
Vanessa helped me break the walls of fear as I looked within to find my strength to keep on writing and digging into the depths of my soul to find the authenticity of the message I wanted to convey. Those 6 weeks were synchronized with moments and people that are still shaping my life today. I don't think everything else that happened after starting my work with Vanessa would have happened had I not been brave enough to tell her I wanted to participate in her free trial. I had never been coached before, I thought it was like therapy, so I was apprehensive at first. What happened was something much bigger than I can describe.
I honor Vanessa in this blog, because she taught me to live extraordinarily. As she coached me one night per week (morning for her, since she lives in Western Australia), she challenged me to raise the bar higher for myself and get out of my comfort zone. She, unknowingly, unleashed an inquisitive part of me that I had buried deep with other "not so great" memories. It was scary. I remember writing the chapter in my book where I move from the ICU to in-patient rehab in the hospital and I sobbed for a week straight non-stop. It was a painful, process to clear up the "locked down closet" (as my cousin put it), in order to get to my inquisitive, genuine nature.
It still is a process today. Honoring my authentic nature and being completely candid about it are things that I am still learning to do everyday. As my dear soul-sister, kindred soul and one of the most wonderful human beings I have ever met says "Dare to live in total vulnerability." I'm learning to be vulnerable. Breaking down the walls is hard work. Exposing your heart and soul is gut wrenching. I feared once, when I first got hurt, that I would never be loved because of my injury. That was frightening. Today, I see that more frightening than that is the fear of not being loved for who I truly am - my true essence. Looks fade, outer beauty can be fixed.. who you are inside makes what you are on the outside. Yet, everyday, the more open and honest I am, I am more comfortable with myself, my life and the world. Of course, I am not perfect. I am not trying to be perfect, either. What I strive for is to be the best that I can be.
Vanessa writes on her website every day (www.extraordinarybeings.com) ways to live extraordinarily with the simple things we are given. She teaches me everyday that dreams do come true, and she has been not a motivator, but a true inspiration to me. I will always be grateful for meeting her, having worked with her and have her support when I need help. She not only lives extraordinarily one day at a time, but she is an extra-ordinary soul.
Thank you, Vanessa.
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