Who's Your Hero?

As a young girl, Sir Edmund Hillary was on my A-list of super heroes. I mean, how many people do you know who've climbed Mt. Everest and traversed both the north and south poles? Extraordinary! Such accomplishments keep him cemented in our memories as one of history's eminent mountaineers and explores.

“I have been seriously afraid at times but have used my fear as a stimulating factor rather than allowing it to paralyze me. My abilities have not been outstanding, but I have had sufficient strength and determination to meet my challenges and have usually managed to succeed with them.” ~Edmund Hillary, View from the Summit: The Remarkable Memoir by the First Person to Conquer Everest

These days I look at Hillary with a new admiration. Absolutely the accomplishments of his expeditions remain impressive. What touches my spirit now is his philosophic approach to life and his belief that everyday people can do great things.  

Hillary was rather humble about his conquering the mountain. He said, "I was just an average bloke. It was the media that tried to transform me into a heroic figure. But I've learned through the years, as long as you don't believe all that rubbish about yourself, you can't come to too much harm."

He did realize the commercial value of his achievement. But, rather that promoting himself and his accomplishments, he used his fame to the advantage of those less fortunate. He devoted much of his time to the needs of the people of Khumbu by helping them to build schools, hospitals, and bridges.

Admire him for his incredible physical accomplishments. Wonder at his perseverance and ability to master the mountain and the elements. However, to me he's a hero because of what he did with the power of his influence. To be that kind of a hero, well, that's something to aspire to, don't you think?

What's that dream?

Pursuing that deep dream that niggles your daytime thoughts, that haunts your nights, the one that pokes at you when life gets crazy - that's the seed of your destiny. It's calling you. It yearns to be feed and nurtured. Dare I say, it's your one, true purpose!

Right now I am working with an amazing client. She is one of the most gifted writers I've had the pleasure to know. Her unique voice gives life to deep spiritual concepts and lends humor to life's journey. In her 60's, she's just now honoring her hunger for writing. I'm so very proud of her for taking the "big leap" and allowing herself to fully dive into her life passion. She has the riches of an interesting life to incorporate into her work and has a wealth of wisdom to share. Facilitating this process as her coach is an honor.

One of the pieces of her process is to blog regularly. I'd love to have you check out her work at Limping to Jerusalem. Give Claudia some encouragement, help her with constructive feedback. She's worthy!

What's that dream that haunts you? I'd love to walk you through the process of making it happen. Drop me a note here: ShineConsulting. Together we can honor your special dream and tap into the unique powers you have to make it true.

What are you investing in?

So often we put all of our resources into career building, social climbing, a killer wardrobe, or the perfect body. All are fine and good. Yet, where are you when something happens and it's taken from you? What's left are the true riches, or lack there of, that matter - character, relationships, spirituality, health, joy in living. What are you investing in today? 

Shine on!

Don't let words and opinions limit your dream. I like this from Mark Twain:

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain

I guess what I'm saying this morning is, get rid of limits imposed by yourself, as well as others. You have dreams, ideas, goals. Don't look for the ways you can't, look for the ways you can!

Shine On!

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexandrasnowdon/

You've got to start somewhere!

"Starting something is not an event; it’s a series of events. You decide to walk to Cleveland. So you take a first step in the right direction. That’s starting. You spend the rest of the day walking toward Cleveland, one step at a time, picking your feet up and putting them down. At the end of the day, twenty miles later, you stop at a hotel. And what happens the next morning? Either you quit the project or you start again, walking to Cleveland. In fact, every step is a new beginning. Sure, you’re closer than you were yesterday or last week..." ~Seth Godin (Poke the Box)

Image Credit: Amplified, the Illustrated Life

What small effort are you making today?

"What we call little things are merely the causes of great things; they are the beginning, the embryo, and it is the point of departure which, generally speaking, decides the whole future of an existence. One single black speck may be the beginning of a gangrene, of a storm, of a revolution." ~Henri Frederic Amiel

Dig into your future

Have you ever thought about what it really means to claim the future? Yes, you have aspirations, goals, and dreams. But, do you actually lay your hands on them and see them as reality right now?

A mountain climber plants his climbing hammer into the next step and pulls himself into the assent. He doesn't say as he goes along, "someday I'm going to climb that mountain." No! He IS climbing the mountain. Bear with me here. Each step, each push, every pull he has the full knowledge that he is conquering the climb.

It is a powerful thing when you approach your life like this, knowing that you ARE realizing your future. Something changes inside when you move from thinking about a thing, to actually claiming and living in a thing. Owning the goal now, digging into it, creates a reality that somehow bends reality and time.

When you can know you are living your goals and dreams, rather than just thinking and wishing them, you make them real...today!

Is there something you dream to be or to achieve, but don't know how to go after it? SHINE Consulting can help you plant yourself in your goals, dig into your future! 

Some days you just gotta jump

"Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to 'jump at the sun.' We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground." ~Zora Neale Hurston

Waiting for perfect conditions to take flight? Sure, once in a while the absolute perfect day happens. However, most are just average days with average conditions. Go ahead, take a leap, make things happen on this Monday. Who knows what you'll encounter! 

Push through adversity

It takes a determined person to hold on to their vision. Push through adversity, it's a sign that things are gonna change!

Need help working through chaos and confusion? SHINE has compassion and enthusiasm for your process and is ready to equip you with tools to manage transition. Connect with us at sahepler@gmail.com.

Making Your Wish a Goal!

Do you make lists of the things you want? Do you ever journal the dreams you have for a new or better life? Writing out what you intend is a powerful step to moving a thought into reality, be it the day-to-day achievements in the work place or when and when your want to retires.


You say you don't have time to journal or write out goals? Thinking in ink is a way to set where you want to go and to realistically track where you are in your progression. It's a powerful planning tool.


Need some help with this? SHINE is here to get you started. Drop me a note and together we'll set you on the way to making those wishes a reality! 

When you settle, nobody wins

When you settle, nobody wins

What have you settled for because the economy seems to hold you back, your important people have expectations for you, or because your dream seems too big? 

Pay attention to how you feel come Sunday evening. Do you look forward to the new week with all of it's possibilities? Or, do you dread Sunday even coming because it means work the next day!

It's time to put a little thought and energy into what brings you joy. Take time this weekend to journal, discuss with your spouse or friends, or take it to your knees. Then... let's look for ways to make it happen.

Send me an email message with your thoughts and together we can work out a plan to make you SHINE!

Difficult Times?

It's the journey that tests the dream

Times difficult? Are you ready to jump ship? Setting sail is easy. Pulling into port is grand. It's the journey the proves how much you believe in yourself. If your dream is worthy, if you know the goal is good, then hold on with all you have!

Boost your confidence

Nervous about speaking your mind? Afraid to go after what you want? Don't let self-doubt keep you from your goals. Place value on who you are and what you do, and your self-esteem will skyrocket. Here are a couple of quick tips to help you step boldly:

First, recognize negative inner thoughts. Confidence begins with a positive self-image. What you think of yourself affects how you feel. And how you act. So get rid of your inner critic and replace her with an inner cheering section.

Easier said than done, you say? Not really. To turn negative self-thoughts positive, take stock of your qualities and achievements. Give yourself more credit and make it a habit.

  

Let go of pessimistic people who drag you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic friends who can build you up.

Seek structured support groups through church, classes, volunteer work. These formal settings will make you feel more capable.

Give your confidence a boost with these simple changes. Go ahead, you can do it!