A Shift In Perspective

Have you recently gone through a difficult divorce? Are you still grieving that lost friend or family member? Did you just get a tough medical diagnosis? Have you recently had to move away from the only home you have known for years? There are so many times in our lives where we must be brave for ourselves or even for other people. Do you put on a brave face when you are dying inside? It is very easy to do. Sometimes we do it because we don’t want anyone to know our real stories. At the end of the day, we may only be hurting ourselves by keeping it all inside. If you want encouragement from 8 very brave women who have lived to tell their stories, check out this book in the Lightbeamer Series. https://amzn.to/3UJ8UV4

Voila! Ta da! Those are just a few exclamatory words to say, “There it is” or “Look what I have made”. Something you are showing to others that you are pleased with. You don’t think of that word as it relates to what you are creating because that would seem braggadocious right? You can spend years with an idea bubbling up inside of you and never letting it out, or you can take steps towards creating that life that you have always dreamed of. Whether it be starting a new career or business, or writing a book or creating something crafty. You owe it to yourself to release those ideas bubbling up inside of you. Don’t waste your God given talent because you are worried what others will think of it. Release it into the world so that everyone can appreciate it! This is your moment to say “Voila”!!

Have you been overworking yourself or filling every single moment with something? Do you need a little relaxation? Kick up your heels and enjoy the view. It doesn’t have to be the strip of Las Vegas to enjoy the view. What is your happy place, your tranquil place, your place of relaxation? Go there and kick up your heels! If you’d like to kick up these particular heels, or others that make you feel a little bit sexy, look no further than these links on Amazon to grab yourself a pair! https://amzn.to/4bqIoFV https://amzn.to/4dJQStt https://amzn.to/3QV1E6u https://amzn.to/3KclypL

Do you remember being a kid and slipping your tiny feet into your parents’ or grandparents’ oversized boots? Maybe you even climbed halfway into them, wobbling around the house as if you were suddenly older, stronger, or wiser. Back then, it felt fun to imitate the people we admired. We copied their steps, their gestures, even their confidence.

Fast forward to adulthood. You land a job once held by someone who seemed like a superstar, and suddenly you hear the phrase: “You have big shoes to fill.” But do we ever actually fill someone else’s shoes? Or do we simply try, fail, adjust, and quietly carve out a new path that feels more like our own?

I thought about this deeply as I stared at an oversized chair on my drive home the other day. A literal giant’s chair—impossible for any one person to fill. And it made me pause. How many of us are still trying to squeeze ourselves into a role, an expectation, or a legacy created by someone impossible to duplicate?

The truth is, some “shoes” just aren’t meant to be filled by a single person. Just like that giant chair, you’d need help, support, and teamwork even to get close. Life is a group effort. We grow because of the people who guide us, correct us, support us, and sometimes even challenge us.

So if you’ve been trying to live up to someone else’s greatness, remember this: you’re not here to be a copy. You’re here to contribute something new. Their journey was theirs. Yours is yours. Don’t be afraid to step off the path you’re trying to imitate and begin walking in your own direction—one that reflects your strengths, your story, and your style.

Because the world doesn’t need another version of them.

It needs the first, real, and brave version of you.

I talk a lot about learning that my vulnerability is a super power over the past five years. One thing I still get hung up on is when/how to be vulnerable at work.

According to Culture Works HR, 60% of Americans struggle to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives.

Quora says that vulnerability is natural and should be embedded within any company’s culture. “It creates trust and promotes acceptance and empathy when giving and receiving feedback. It also helps with effective problem solving and decision making.”

According to Toner Buzz, 85% of companies that offer work-life balance programs report an increase in productivity, while 33% of employees with a good balance say they plan to stay longer in their current role.

The fear of making connections and being vulnerable can stem from various sources, such as past traumatic experiences, fear of rejection or abandonment, low self esteem, or a lack of trust in others. This is true whether in your personal or professional life.

So how can you change that?
-Focus on building self awareness;
-Practice active listening;
-Share your thoughts and feelings appropriately;

Do you have a difficult time being vulnerable? Try a few of these to help get you started.

I understand that the concept of unbelief can be quite complex and emotional.

It’s not always easy to simply believe what is right in front of you. We often have preconceived notions that can cloud our judgment and make us want something to be a certain way. This can make it difficult to accept a different reality.

It’s true that taking everything at face value might seem like a good approach, but in a world of deception and dishonesty, it’s essential to think critically and look beyond the surface. I understand how challenging it can be to navigate through situations where things aren’t as they initially seem.

For example, if someone owes you money and you’ve been let down multiple times, it’s natural to feel anxious and untrusting. When you finally receive the payment, it’s easy to accept it at face value. However, it’s important to take the time to investigate (or count the money), just as you would in life. This way, you can avoid being let down and hurt in the future.

I appreciate that life is full of complexities, and it’s not always easy to navigate through them alone. It’s okay to seek guidance and support from others. Sometimes others can offer a nonbiased perspective that will open your mind to a different way of thinking.