I receive the daily quotes from Abraham Hicks. At some point, one said something along the lines of, “just remember, the story you tell is the basis of your life, so tell it the way you want it to be.”
It made me think about the evolution of telling my own life story. When I was in my twenties, there were parts I ignored, parts I denied responsibility for, and parts I proudly retold over and over. Some parts I might have even embellished a tiny bit to make myself appear better or, in some cases, not as successful, and parts I never mentioned at all. Now, all of these years later and as part of my career, I frequently tell my story and continuously work to own all of it while being mindful to speak about my life and what is next, the way I want it to be.
Many of us attribute our hard work and resulting good fortune to luck, which stems from fear of not wanting to be seen as “egotistical” by constantly boasting our accomplishments (nor do we want to splash our most embarrassing moments on a Times Square billboard) or threatening.
So how can we speak our truth? Really tell the story of our lives AS IS and be proud of what we’ve done?
We must authentically accept the past and our part in it so we can create the future we desire.
Let’s go back to not appearing as “threatening” and, therefore, downplaying your successes. I want to encourage you to keep a journal to safely record your thoughts and perceptions. Once you are comfortable with writing and reading OUT LOUD what you wrote, share your success stories with trusted friends.
Most of us enjoy hearing stories about others overcoming adversity and want to share in their joy, so know that others want to do the same for you too! (if you’re not quite there, here’s a couple reads for you – Great Job But… and Learn to Be a Cheerleader.
A Few Affirmations to Keep You on Track:
- “My life journey is unique and valuable. I celebrate my individuality.”
- “I am capable of creating a life I love right now.”
- “By expressing my truth, others find the way to their truth.”
- “I am resilient and strong.”
- “I easily focus on the positive and see my dreams coming true.”
- “I learned from my past and project positively into the future.”
Once you have honestly accepted and celebrated what you have learned so far on this journey, dial into your present and future story and be mindful to tell it the way you want it to be.
Example:
A. I am so excited my book will be coming out in 2013!
B. If nothing goes terribly wrong and that writer’s block that paralyzed me last year does not return, my book will come out in 2013.
Which statement above makes you believe my book will be on the shelves in 2013?
My point is that focusing on what you want to happen, without fear or shame, is a powerful way to be successful. Talk about your life with abundant language. When someone asks how you are, focus on the good things. It is not a requirement to tell everyone all of the bad in order to not appear threatening or egotistical. Also, in focusing on the negative and downplaying the positive, you keep those experiences alive.
Speaking and celebrating good things and not focusing on the past mistakes or frustrations is a choice. It is not denial if we learn from painful past experiences. The value is in what you learned. Retelling the gory details keeps you stuck and energetically you are inviting more of the gore.
Are you ready to share your story? How about right here with all of us?
Sharing honestly is good for releasing the embarrassment and shame that accompanies a not-so-golden life moment. You can also use the same tips of journaling, reading aloud, sharing with trusted friends, and saying affirmations. Since you are naming your fear and acknowledging it, it will loose its power and control over you, helping to release the experience from your mind and body. Also, sharing your negative past experiences and what you learned from them with a trusted friend can be liberating for you and might give your pal permission to share his/her authentic story. Chances are he/she has been hiding something and would like to release it as well.
I hope this resonates with you and inspires you to own the story of your life and begin the next amazing chapter with joy.
I can’t wait to witness your stories!
Love Love Love
Terri
Terri Cole, founder and CEO of Live Fearless and Free, is a licensed psychotherapist, transformation coach, and an expert at turning fear into freedom. A cornerstone of Terri’s practice, meditation, was the impetus for her recently released guided mediation CD “Meditation Transformation.” In Fall 2012, she will begin hosting a Hay House radio show, giving listeners who are swimming upstream easy tools to flip over and float. Terri can be found on her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
*Photo by Eleaf.
