Imagine that you and I are sitting in a quiet space and getting to know one another.
You’ve come to me for help in achieving the level of success that has eluded you in business. I am excited for you and want to know more.
As we talk further, however, what emerges beyond that dream is a place of emptiness and loneliness that no level of business success has been able to fill. And you say you want to also be happy. And I say, “Yes, of course.”
But as the conversation continues what becomes clear is that you thought being successful in your career, making more money, having more notoriety would make you happy. But it turned out it was just your best guess. And you are confused. “Why do I feel all this emptiness in the midst of my life?” you ask out loud.
“I haven’t yet experienced as much travel as I want, or found that lasting love or created my body of work so that I can leave a legacy and make a difference! That’s why I am not yet happy and successful!”
“Well,” I reply, “I have another approach.”
“What if… I assist you to discover and experience a deeper sense of self-fulfillment by doing the inner work to bring forward YOU in a bigger and more expansive way. THEN, I go on to say, the illusion that something is going to make you happy out there will be replaced with a deep sense of knowing YOU – the person you were born to be. What I’ve learned through my own inner journey and through shepherding others is that when you take on the work of creating your Self, through that experience comes the life that gives you that fulfillment as well as the success you are seeking.”
You consider my suggestion.
“OK I have considered your approach,” you say after pondering my words. “But, I have another thing I want to share.”
“I believe I have a sacred calling that both energizes me and terrifies me.”
I nod my head.
“But I don’t really know what it is. There’s something more I’m suppose to do with my life. I can’t see it…I just feel it compelling me to find it. And this is so overwhelming. What if what I am suppose to do will cost me my relationship, my friends? I’m already torn between my family and my work. And it feels way too powerful. Will I be accepted? Will others ridicule me because I have so much ambition?”
Responding I say, “First of all, it is not your fault you feel stuck. There is a really good reason you are in this place. Your ambition is a sacred thing. And there is a key missing that would allow you to experience this sacred calling in an entirely different way.”
“What I know,” I continue, “is when you do the inner work that allows you to discover this sacred calling then it’s easier to clear away what is causing you to fear your greatness. AND once you clear away the clutter you will see your self, your life and the path ahead with eyes that can hold the bigger vision with strength, courage and commitment.”
“Ok,” you seem to relax. “Then what?”
“I’m so glad you asked,” I smile.
“My ambition is sacred?” you ask.
“Yes,” I reply.
At this point you are obviously perplexed. So you continue, “I have always been embarrassed about how ambitious I am…and I don’t like the word anyway. Ambitious people are consumed with ‘me, me, me’ all the time and have to sacrifice everything for what they want. That’s not me. I don’t want to be like that and at the same time I have this inner compelling drive to share who I am and what I do in a much bigger way. And one more thing,” you continue…”Can you really have it all?”
“You can have ALL of you,” I reply, “which is what will be the ALL that is the most fulfilling. Then how you apply the ALL of you in manifesting that bigger vision will flow easily with lots of grace. Your ambition comes from a deep honoring of who you are. Well, take a moment and ask yourself…What is sacred about who I am? What do I hold sacred deep within?”
Closing your eyes you ask yourself those questions and a very soft peaceful energy comes over your face. “Well,” almost shyly, “how much I care for others is sacred. And how connected I feel to Spirit is sacred. Also my humor…I love my humor.”
“And what do you experience as you talk about what is sacred inside of you?” I ask.
“Calm…centered…grounded…clear…It feels good,” you acknowledge.
“And powerful? Do you feel powerful?” I ask.
Your eyes spring open. “Whoa stop! I didn’t say anything about power! Is that what power feels like? I thought power was…”
So I begin, “Let’s start with taking a nice deep breath in on this one! I can tell that talking about power brings up some issues. Would you like to share more?”
“Power is dangerous! Period,” you say with energy. “AND powerful people use and abuse power. I want to know how to be powerful that is attractive and in integrity.”
“Ok”, I reply. “Again, let me share this for your consideration…
It is OK that you feel the way you do. I understand. Power and embodying power in the world has been tricky. Especially for women who have gifts, abilities, talents that do not fit into the status quo norm. We all know our her-story.
Part of what is going on, I continue, quite honestly, is you, me and all of us must re fashion a new model of what it means to be powerful as a woman and man that is called to love, lead and live from sacred ambition.
Isn’t it time for each of us to stand up and step forward sharing our gifts in service to the greater good? Are you ready to ground who you are in honesty and connected to Source? Do you see yourself as a role model to show how easily one can manifest their passion and vision with clear seeing, grace and connection?”
At this point, your eyes brighten with tears. “I want to be that person, you say. Do I really have everything inside of me to do that?”
“Yes you do,” I reply. “And yes – you are ALREADY that person. It’s just a matter of clearing out everything that you are NOT so WHO YOU ARE can shine. This is the work of our time, in my opinion – to birth a new era of resilient, compassionate, committed and grounded women (and men) who, from their deep connection to Source, can lead, love and live so all will flourish.”
You let out a big sigh. “OK, you’ve got my attention. That last part really rang true inside. I want business success AND I also want ME – all of ME – to show up…to walk in the world with grace and compassion…and to know, really know, that the ripples from my drop in the big sea of humanity has made a difference. So how do I do this journey you talk about?”
I begin, “this remarkable soul journey of finding ALL of YOU and then bringing all of you forward to manifest your sacred calling begins with your choice.”
“Yes,” you nod your head. “I thought I was choosing to ramp up my marketing or create another offer or attend more networking meetings…and I can still do all of that. But what I’m really choosing is me. I’m choosing to go inside and discover exactly who I am. And,” you look directly at me, “I have to trust that what I will find will be everything that you describe and maybe more.”
I give you a big smile. “Yes, trusting is part of this choice. And so is listening to what that quiet but powerful voice is saying inside of you. Do you know what it is saying to you?”
“Yes,” you are smiling now. “It’s saying YES! FINALLY! Let’s DO THIS!”
So our tale comes to The End…and THE BEGINNING… She not only finds deep fulfillment by clearing away all the limiting clutter in her life but begins to follow her inner guidance, trust how her sacred calling is manifesting as a sacred ambition business with all the ups and downs of walking as an empowered woman, connected to Source, and easily manifesting her passion and vision with clear seeing and grace in service to the greater good.
I hope you found value in my light-hearted way of presenting what I know to be true. Perhaps your next step is to take a moment, check inside and ask: Is it my time to discover my sacred calling and align my ambition with what is sacred inside?
If you’re ready to begin this journey, there’s no better place to start than the Divine Membership. Click here for more details.