“There has to be more.” 

These were my words in a late night conversation with my oldest friend. They just popped out but I recognized their truth soon as I said them. My friend’s face registered surprise as she asked what I meant. I wasn’t completely sure, but the feelings that came bubbling up were filled with restlessness and a lack of purpose. There were elements of my life that were satisfying, and I felt like it should have been enough. But the whisper from my soul telling me I wanted more was clear.

Once I gave voice to this desire, I realized how familiar it was. I just hadn’t taken it seriously. When I began paying attention, the reasons I couldn’t possibly make a change were quite convincing! I was pretty sure there wasn’t the time or space within my family for me to explore something new. I told myself my kids and marriage couldn’t handle me changing things up mid-stream. My schedule was already full: how would I add more? Sure, I could dabble, but anything more would be too much.

In a line from her poem “The Summer Day” Mary Oliver asks, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Carrying on as though everything is fine when you have the sneaking suspicion it’s not is no way to live. Eventually, I made myself pay attention.

Years earlier, I was a dedicated reader of a column in O Magazine, written by Life Coach Martha Beck, which I found funny and spot on with its observations. Having always been drawn to understanding how people work and what makes them tick, the idea of serving people in this way had been percolating for some time.

Eventually, the urge to explore my gifts in a familiar-yet-new way became greater than the blocks I threw in my path. I enrolled in none other than the wise and wonderful Martha Beck’s intensive Wayfinder Life Coach Training. It felt like I was right where I was supposed to be. I had the full support of my husband and kids. The fear and uncertainty hadn’t disappeared; I just didn’t allow them to be front and center. They didn’t get as much playing time anymore.

It took time to be brave enough to acknowledge how I was feeling; courage to intentionally listen to that voice and follow where it led. I’m so glad I did! Increasingly, I understand that those nudges from within won’t steer me wrong.

How about you? Are you on the path that’s right for you? Do you sometimes feel paralyzed about moving forward in your life?

Our social roles have a way of leading us AWAY from what we really want. We’re so used to dealing in ‘shoulds’ and ‘have-tos’ that we lose sight of the fact that we have a choice in how we spend our days. When we think about the changes we’d like to make, whether big or small, a litany of stressful thoughts start turning somersaults in our heads, many of them perceived judgements from the people in our lives. We continue doing what we’ve been doing, hoping, magically, that the course we’re on will right itself. 

Let me help you with that. Together, let’s clear the limiting beliefs that are keeping you stuck. Click here to schedule your free consultation.