Fear as Unbelief

LIVE… I, like other people, read for enjoyment and to stay abreast of the latest topics in counseling, coaching and consulting. About two months ago, I read, “You Were Born for This” by Bruce Wilkinson. The premise is learning how to listen to God so you maybe a conduit by which God delivers miracles to others. (Really good book if you are interested) As I read the book, the miracle that I received personally was a statement made by the author, having nothing to do with miracles. He stated, “Fear is unbelief.” Wow…that simple truth struck me in a very profound way.

It is interesting to me, now as I think about the concept of fear as unbelief… We fear that something will happen to ourselves = unbelief we will be safe. We fear something will happened to our children = unbelief that we or God can protect them. We fear others = unbelief in our ability to survive.

LOVE… Do not get me wrong…fear is healthy when it warns us. Fear is normal when we feel like we have no control of a situation. Fear is unhealthy when we can no longer function…when our fears are so big that we cannot allow our children to play with others…OR…when we cannot give our full attention to a task because our fears prevent us engaging in the task…OR…when the fear of being hurt, keeps us from going on a date…Those fears can limit us and the ones we love. Those fears keep us hostage.

LEAP… Take a moment and look at your fears…are they legitimate fears where the end result is catastrophic…OR… are they are series of unbelief’s that you have the power to change?

Well Worth The Wait

LIVE...Well, as you can tell, I left the blogging scene for the last couple of months. Life has been very busy. I decided to open a Wellness Center that would have an integrative approach to helping people physically, emotionally and spiritually. The center has taken up a great deal of my time and it has been well worth it.

Before, I decided to open the center, I was experiencing some career and business challenges. I wanted my business to grow beyond where it was and yet I seemed to be stuck. I knew I needed to have a different location. I just did not know the when, where, who, and what's of all the details for the location. Then I found it and while it has been challenging, it has been...well worth the wait.

LOVE... As I went through this process I was amazed at the amount of time we spend time trying to figure out all of the details of our goals and dreams. Sometimes, we miss the answer...Especially, when it is right in front of us. OR... we second guess ourselves with statements like, "I can't do that." and "I don't have enough _________ to be able to afford ________."

We think these messages or barriers are "for our (your) own good." We view them as some gift of love meant to keeps us from going "too far." When really they serve to prevent us from growing. Growing may mean renegotiating your finances, prioritizing our commitments (Especially when we are over committed), or learning a new skill. Anyway we look at it, growing can be challenging, exciting, scary and joyful all at the same time.

LEAP... To take the leap, we have to look at what we are really telling ourselves. Are the messages we are giving ourselves completely true? Or can we do one thing different to change the outcome? Ultimately, giving ourselves permission to move forward and grow.

What other people think of you is really none of your business. Wow what a powerful statement...Many of us spend a lot of time and energy worrying about what other people think of us or how they perceive us.

Looking Back and Letting Go...

LIVE...As I look back at different experiences in my life, I have come to realize that I have allowed the ignorance of others to affect how I see myself. I gave people the power to define me. I thought "they" some how had a better understanding of me, more knowledge of who I was, or better insight than I could have of myself. The reality is... I had a deeper knowledge of myself than I was willing to give myself credit. The only thing I "lacked" was the vocabulary to match the experiences.

LOVE...Some may think, I am writing this post out of anger or resentment. When quite the contrary is true, I am writing this out of a place of peace. At this stage of my life, I see how the lack of knowledge or understanding of a simple concept affects the person you are. I am also writing from a place of letting go...Letting go of the previous messages...The previous power I gave others...because now I have the knowledge that neither they or I had at the time.

LEAP...Take a couple of minutes and look for one of those little messages...You know the one that really does not fit you...BUT...it sticks with you anyway. Then look at the person who gave you the message...Did the statement they made match the knowledge they had at the time?...Now look at yourself...Did you have the knowledge or vocabulary to refute what they had to say at the time?

Now it is your choice...Hang on to the message...OR...Let it go.

Until next time...Live, Love and Leap!

Jodi

So It's Your Birthday!

LIVE...This week is an exciting week for me. My birthday is coming up and while I usually just try to see my birthday as another day. I have decided to stretch my thinking this year... This year I want to do something ON my birthday to celebrate the fact that I am alive, healthy and able. My first plan for the year was to go canyoneering ON my birthday...However, due to scheduling we opted to go canyoneering later in the week. So I am going skiing for my birthday, spending a day out on the slopes just having fun and playing with my family. The thought of it really brings joy to my heart.

LOVE...For me to switch my "keep it low key" mentality, I really had to allow myself to start looking at what kind of message I was sending. Previously, my mentality was to try to be invisible for my birthday. Rather than trying to do something that nurtured my soul. So this year for my birthday, I will nurture my soul and allow myself to celebrate the abundance of love (and health) I have for myself and others.

LEAP... Say today is YOUR birthday... What would you do to nurture your soul? Think about it...dream it...feel it.

Until next time...Live, Love and Leap!

Jodi

Upcoming Event...

I am taking a break from my usual format to share an upcoming event with you. A wonderful friend of mine sent me the following information. Now, I am passing this opportunity on to you.

You many not be aware of it, but a very powerful force is at work in your life. It's called the Law of Attraction and right now it is attracting people, customers, relationships into your life and business, the problem is, not all of them are good! In this series, expert Law of Attraction coach and practitioner Michael Losier teaches us how to apply the Law of Attraction to our advantage. Through interactive sessions and writing exercises, you will learn: There's a science to the Law of Attraction and Michael Losier provides you with the simple 3-step formula to make it work for you!

Law of Attraction Expert Michael Losier.
Applying Law of Attraction to Your LIFE!

Unity Church of Portland
4525 SE Stark Street
Portland, OR

Saturday, May 30th, 2009
1:30pm - 2:00pm Meet and greet the author
2:00pm - 5:00pm Training Seminar(worksheets provided)
Information and tickets: www.lawofattractionNorthwest.com

Live, Love and Leap,
Jodi

Can dreams merge together and come true?

Live... I have been working on creating a vision for myself and my business. I have multiple dreams I would love to actualize. I am coming to understand, that as a person, I have made so many of my dreams come true...I was the first of my siblings to go to college. I went to graduate school. I have a family and a husband. I have been dog sledding, hiking and canyoneering come true. I moved out west to be closer to the mountains.

Now is the time for me to take these same principles and apply them to my business. I know I can have a personal dream and follow it to reality. I know I can take a professional dream like going to school, becoming a licensed therapist come true. Yet the dreams I am working towards now require that I stretch myself in ways I never thought imaginable. I am creating a vision for my business with little dreams that culminate into a global vision of how I can be of service to others.

Love...While I sit here and think about the little dreams culminating into the global vision. I come up with wonderful creative ways to intertwine two of my passions together; helping people and the outdoors. One of my dreams would be to provide coaching sessions for people who are engaging in an outdoor adventure...like people who are learning to rock climb, canyoneer, or hike. Many times when we allow ourselves to step into the great outdoors we unlock pieces of ourselves that we either did not see or had not touched in a long time. I would love to act as a coach for people as they process their internal worlds with their outdoor experiences.

Leap... My leap is to start exploring and gathering information about using my coaching skills in conjunction with outdoor adventure providers. By doing this, I will be allowing myself to open up and merge two of my passions together into one experience. So what would it take for you to merge, explore or find ways that your passions could build on one another? What would it take to create a bridge from one of your passions to another passion? How will it feel when those two passions come together? What will be different inside of you?

Until next time...Live, Love and Leap!
Jodi

Life Changing Moments...

Live...The last few days I have been asked some really good questions...One of them was "What brings you joy?"...The other question was about life changing moments...So how do these two questions fit together?

When I was asked about life changing moments...I thought about when I was almost 16, we had a school dance in January. The weather got bad and my friend and I decided to call our parents and get permission to stay the night where we were. They agreed. The following morning we got into the car, my friend, my date and I. The road seemed fine until we were getting ready to exit. The car spun out of control and we hit a pole with a concrete base about half the size of the car. I was in the back seat, sitting in the middle. When the car hit the pole from the rear...the glass from the rear window blew through the car and I had glass in my hair and my clothes. We were all quite lucky...even though I had a concussion and whip lash. It took about a year and a half for the pain in my neck to subside.

BUT...My biggest memory of the accident...my friend's mom looked at both of us and said, "Thank God! You hit it backwards! If you would have been going forward Jodi would have died." As it turns out, if we would have hit the pole from the front I would have been ejected from the car.

I simply cannot imagine my life stopping at 16.

Love...So having experienced a potentially life threatening car accident...What is MY joy? My joy comes from helping. I love to help people, animals and the land in which we live. It is the smallest act of love I can provide to others that bring me the greatest joy. One of these small acts of love is this blog...I write it to give others the opportunity stop, think and "leap" into new directions. It is one of my loves I share with others.

Leap...Having lived through the car accident, I have learned "leaps" look different at different times in our lives. So my question to you is...What "leap" do you need to take for this week? Do you want to stop and show the love you have for someone else? Do you want to take a minute and show love to yourself? What about showing love to the land that we live? What would it take to make a "leap" in this direction? Or animals...what "leap" could you make this week that would provide love to an animal...domestic or wild?

What ever you choose, it is YOURS to give!

Until next time...Live, Love and Leap!

Jodi

Good Goals...

"A good goal should SCARE you a little.

And EXCITE you A LOT!"

Joe Vitale

LIVE...So the new year has begun. What have you decided to do with it? Have you created the goals you really want to achieve.... OR.... Are you sitting back in fear, thinking that what you really want is impossible to achieve? Is doubt filling the space between you and your dreams? Are limited thoughts, poised as reality, keeping you from taking the initial "leap" of acknowledging your dreams? What would happen if you created goals that were aligned with the "what" and "where" you really want to be?

LOVE...Every time we allow doubt and fear to disconnect us from our dreams, our relationship with our "self" suffers. We show ourselves less empathy and more apathy...this disconnect can lead us to moments of disappointment, distrust, and anger or frustration with ourselves. We can change these moments and make them into a new moment... One where we choose to love ourselves and show ourselves the empathy, compassion and encouragement we would show others.

LEAP... So here we are... Are you ready to take the first "leap"....and acknowledge your true goals and aspirations? Remember...How long it would take and how big the goal is really doesn't matter. Being true to yourself by being in alignment with your self... AND... allowing yourself to take the first "leap" in a series of "leaps" is the most loving gift you can give your "self." So go on and create the goal of YOUR lifetime.

Questions, Questions and More Questions

LIVE...Now is the time that we tend to sit down and take inventory of what we have accomplished in the last year. The underlying questions we seem to ask yourselves are "How much did I live last year?" "What did I accomplish?" "Were my accomplishments worth what it took to attain them?"

LOVE...Once we evaluate our accomplishments we tend to look for the possible impact we have had on the lives of others. "Did we tell our children that we loved them enough?" "Did we donate as much as we wanted?" "Did we take the opportunities to simply do the small things that could have lifted some one's mood or made a brighter day for them?"

LEAP...Finally, we take a minute and look at moments that we missed. "Where could we have made that leap?" "What did we allow to stop us from getting what we truly wanted this year?"

My challenge for you over the next year...look for ways to take the steps you wish you could have taken this year...and take one!

I hope this holiday season gives you the chance to witness a true act of love and kindness.


Jodi is the coach and consultant for Mountain Springs Professional and Organizational Services, feel free to email her or give her a call she would love to hear from you.

What will your next dollar do?

LIVE....To give you a little more background on myself, I started my mental health career in suicide prevention. I was trained as a crisis helpline worker at the age of sixteen. We could recieve calls from other teens who were simply having a bad day, or teens who were activating a plan to complete suicide. There are no words to express how valuable that experience was for me and how much I learned.


LOVE...Over the years...I have sat on the phone...been called into offices... assessed individuals in schools and hospitals... all with the goal of preventing suicide. However, all of this work has not granted me immunity. I am also someone who has been touched by suicide, I have stood by the coffins of four people who have completed suicide. Each of them for different reasons and under different circumstances. Each will be remembered with love and loss.


LEAP...Here is the best part...I have had the fortunate experience of making friends with a person who also shares a passion for suicide prevention. Currently, she is trying to raise a modest amount of money for a national organization called SPAN USA.

Please take a minute, look at her page below and simply think about sparing $1.00. A dollar from one of us seems powerless, but a dollar from all of us...makes the impossible...possible.

http://www.firstgiving.com/fortunemclemore

Please feel free to add comments or post questions. I would love to hear from you!

Positive Place Cards

LIVE…LOVE… It is amazing how alive we feel when we know we are loved by others. Most people I know have created holiday traditions. Traditions vary from saying a prayer to going around the room and expressing your gratitude for events in the past.

LEAP… For this holiday season, I challenge you to try something new. This year take blank “Thank You” cards or oversized place cards; place each guest’s name on a card. Then have each guest write one statement about the person named on the card. There are two rules; the statement needs to be specific and reflect positive qualities about the person named.

The activity is easier if you set it up for guests to be able to complete before dinner with one person attending the cards. The attendant is in charge of taking out the current writer’s card so the person writing does not find out what others have said.

Once everyone has written a statement on each guest’s card, place the cards at the table to be opened before or after dinner. At dinner, have each guest open and read through the statements made on their cards. Once the guest has read the card they simply say thank you to all of the guests.

Hint: It is ok to give your guests starters like, “I am so thankful you…, I love your…., I appreciate the way you……” The starters give guests the ability to generate ideas, if needed.

I hope you have a bountiful holiday season, filled with love and appreciation!

Live, Love and Leap

So why would you name a blog "Live, Love and Leap?"


Live...It is really quite simple. Some people need movies like The Bucket List or songs like Tim McGraw's, Live Like You Were Dying, to motivate them to live each day to the fullest. Eckhart Tolle has sold millions of books focusing on the concept of living in the "Now." There is one simple truth, "The past is a moment that is already gone, the future does not exist yet, and now is all we really have." The "now" we experience today is a building block for tomorrow. Nevertheless, "now" is a moment we will lose, if we choose to do nothing with it. So I encourage you to LIVE in the moment, embrace "now" and appreciate all that you have.


Love...I strongly believe in loving all of those around us. There are multiple types and definitions of love. When I am talking about love, I am also including acts of kindness. Simple gestures of love one person can provide to another. The smallest and most valuable acts of kindness can truly be moments people will remember for a lifetime. When you treat others with love and kindness you create blessings for both yourself and the other person.


Leap...Lao-tzu wrote, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." I believe in taking small steps. I believe that each step we take builds on other steps. Each step brings us closer to the realizing our aspirations and the lives we want. Nevertheless, there are times when a single step feels more like a leap. I remember the first time I went rappelling. Wow...what an experience!!! If you have ever been rappelling, you know that the largest fear that people experience is the initial step. The first step feels like a leap when in all reality you are only taking one small step. Once that first step is over, your adrenaline kicks in and the fear turns into pleasure. Essentially even the smallest step can be the biggest leap...embrace it, lean into it and go with it. You will be all the better for it.

So Live, Love and Leap!

For more information about the services that Jodi provides please go to www.mountainspringsprofessional.com