If I learned ANYTHING at all from that loooong year of January we just had - it is to listen to those intuitive cues that not only come from within but also the relative value cues that you receive from others and/or experiences.
"The answer is always in the room with the question. "
You know I am going to keep it 100, right? Well, I talk about experiences all the time and recently I had an eye opening experience related to me (and the other co hosts of our radio show) no longer being affiliated with the entity we were with. As you can imagine- when things shifted, I was initially devastated. I called the radio station to discuss the impending changes and I was reminded of something one of my mentors told me years ago: "The answer is always in the same room with the question."
Can I tell you something? And I am speaking solely for myself here...but honestly I knew that this opportunity had an expiration date, but I willfully prolonged it. Like a loaf of stale bread, the pieces were beginning to mold. I wanted the proverbial “press“ sandwich, so to speak, and so I went around the moldy pieces to search for some good ones. Finding none, I prayed for anything that I was not supposed to be attached to- for it to be removed. And it was.
In this culture that we live in- where "likes" and validation are a hot commodity - I understand how it feels to want to appear like you got it going on!
Real talk: it was fun to be on the radio! When I had a conversation with the staff, it was simply put that our ministry does not end because of our dissolved affiliation and to go forward with what God was calling us to do. Instead of confusion, there should be rejoicing.
Talk about renewed perspective.
Instantly - I could feel the peace just return to my body and mind. No longer was I to be devastated or dismayed because, my friends, the answer was always in the room with the question!
This experience served a purpose. My takeaway was to meet the change head on and be open and receptive to the path that I was to walk in next. Nothing was wasted.
So the next thing I knew, another revelation fell on me like a ton of bricks. I had a responsibility to myself to transmute this experience into something greater, but first, it required me to get real about a few things.
How often do we ignore our purpose in favor of validation?
How often do we overlook inner promptings to satisfy ego's desire to be seen?
Yeah. That part.
Managing change effectively requires a few key things from us to do:
1. Get real with ourselves about where we are and why we do the things we do. What is the driving force behind anything we do?
2. Be receptive to the answers that are sitting on the same armchair as the question. What part of change is obvious but we hesitate because of fear?
3. Know that you can always go back to square one and reinvent yourself. How will you walk with both integrity and purpose going forward?
Got all that?
"Once you find your way back to the heart of your purpose, your path will be made clearer. "
Armed with these 3 key points, I was invigorated to move forward in a new direction. Once I got clarity on how I was to move forward, I felt aligned with my purpose which is to teach, inspire and create out of my own journey of self discovery. A podcast called The Owners Manual was born out of this redirection and launched just a few days ago and I am so excited to birth this new wave of inspiration, not just for others, but for me too!
When something does not work for you, rejoice. Know that once you find your way back to the heart of your purpose, your path will be made clearer. Become the change agent who is not afraid to confront the question and seek out wise counsel from within that will always point to the best answer. There's nothing wrong with severing ties that are not fruitful.
Letting go creates the space to move forward.
What areas in your life need to change so you can move forward?
with all my love,
LPM