How To Transform An Unfortunate Situation Into A Fortunate Experience

Crraack!

I looked up towards a family member with me at the time and we both started to giggle. My hands holding two pieces of broken glass, a perfect accompaniment to the red cheeks on my face.

A wave of both fear and amusement crept over me.

Fear of the unknown, what may or may not lie ahead... and amusement because, really what were the chances.

It was just too funny.

This experience during the summer made me think about authenticity. How being AUTHENTIC can lead to wondrous rewards, even if initially it can feel shameful, embarrassing and/or fearful of uncertainty.

I knew in that moment, standing there in the shop with a cracked glass picture frame in hand, I had TWO choices...

1) To place the glass to one side and move along, not saying anything out of fear of what might happen if I did.

or

2) Own up, be authentic and aligned with my values, willing to accept any consequences that may occur.

Broken down, it was simply a choice of connecting with either FEAR or LOVE.

Tweet: "When you open up & show up, you put yourself in line to receive beautiful gifts. When you hide & withdraw, you remove yourself from the abundance that wishes to greet you" Emma Bradford

This also ties in with a recent NLP class I taught a few weeks ago, discussing the huge topic of Life Purpose with group members. One of the definitions that came to mind was...

"To connect with what brings us happiness and joy (in a healthy, fulfilling way)... being AUTHENTIC and aligned with our values". 

This can help us create direction and connect with our life purpose. 

If we value LOVE in our life, by acting in alignment with this value can bring great fulfillment and rewards. For example by being loving to ourselves and others whilst maintaining and respecting boundaries.

If we value CONNECTION, again, acting in alignment with this can open up wondrous experiences in our life. For example, prioritising moments of true connection with others, whether that be physically with a partner, through conversation, presence and/or support.

What do you value in your life? 

And are you acting in alignment with those values? 

If not, how can you create more alignment in your daily life? 

One of my personal values is authenticity, which is why I automatically felt called to go straight to the shop owner and confess what had happened. It was something I had to do as the more I intend to connect with authenticity in my life, the more painful being inauthentic is. 

I simply can't do it. 

The best thing was, after confessing about the accident I wasn't charged and was even given a free picture frame mount in return. 

Situation transformed!

Being authentic is allowing ourselves (without judgement) to be bold, and colourful if we wish. Trusting and giving ourselves the space to simply be who we want with flexibility, so we can change priorities and values to what resonates if needed.

As we grow throughout life, so may our values. That's perfectly ok. And as we go through new experiences our priorities can change.

Being authentic is a continuous practice of paying attention to ourselves and what's important to us in each moment... living our day to day life with the intention to resonate with alignment with what we truly value and what feels right.

Now it's your turn! If you were to know, what are some of your top values in life? You can discover this by considering all areas of your life from relationships, to career to spirituality etc... what is important for you in each category? e.g. intimacy, success, connection...

Pick one value, and brainstorm how you can bring in more of that into your life over the next few weeks. For example, someone may say intimacy is key in relationships, therefore they may intend to open up, share, be vulnerable with loved ones even more so to help create more intimacy. 

Notice how this can TRANSFORM any challenges you may be facing the more you connect and align yourself with your values.

Using the comment section below, hold yourself accountable and state what you'll start doing and when to experience these shifts. 

Have a friend feeling lost and in need of a helping hand? Offer them some support and share this post. How can you guide each other in being even more authentic and aligned with what you find in important in life? 

If you'd like to be the first to receive these monthly insights, and receive a FREE Boosting Self-Esteem kit too, head on over to my WEBSITE where you can sign up for positive change.

How Things Can Change...

This time last year I was in a whirlwind of travel.

Discovering layers of myself I never new existed and having my brain stretched until it hurt with Quantum Linguistics. 

Where was I?...my old home town, London, completing a NLP Master Practitioner training with Jessica Robbins. 

And WOW what a Autumn that was! 

Never before did I think how much recognising and shifting your values could have an effect on your life.

One Of The Side Effects...80s Power Poses!

Since then, its been a remarkable journey and I look forward to the many wonderful adventures that may come their way.

Now entering the final month of 2014, this is a great opportunity to take a moment and reflect how far we have all come since this time last year. 

Sometimes looking back briefly can be just as important as focusing on the present and knowing where you are headed. With a quick glance back you can recognise all that you have achieved so far, remember the wonderful surprises and gifts that you found along the way and also remind yourself about what you have learnt so far that can assist you in making even better choices in the future. At times we may feel stuck, or that we're going backwards in life struggling to get to where we want. 

Where in reality, things have shifted... if we take a moment to notice.

If we are so busy looking ahead or worrying about current situations it can be easy to forget how some things may have shifted in the last 12 months. We don't even notice how far we have come. 

So by taking a moment to breathe, in and out, I invite you to think back on the last 12 months and take a moment to consider...

What has changed?

What have you learnt?

What would you like to bring into 2015?

What would you like to let go of for 2015? 

May this be the beginning of a wonderful month of festivities (what ever that may mean for you)...I certainly look forward to the country walks and glowing log fires...maybe even a few 'hilarious' cracker jokes thrown in too.

Above all I encourage you to make this month a celebration of where you have come from this past year. Through the highs and lows, the discomfort and triumphs, and smiles and tears...

...I invite you to find 3 things that you are proud of.

3 things no matter how big or small, that you know you did your best at that time, you tried something new or you made the most of an experience in this past year. 

Whatever they may be, by acknowledging a few things that you are proud of or grateful for can help to create even more joy in the present moment. These moments, these little (or BIG!) successes deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. By doing so you can boost your self esteem, confidence and motivation levels even further to kick start the next 12 months. 

Go on I dare you to give yourself a pat on the back ;-)

So what is your top 3? 

I'll leave you with that, and not forgetting to wish you all a Happy Celebratory Month and a 'Happy Sprout Day'* on the 25th as my dear friend says!

See you next Month!

*Brussels Sprouts in case you were wondering. 

Is It Selfish?

Pressures we tend to place on ourselves through the influence of society, our beliefs and values came into conversation the other day when talking with a friend.

We can sometimes get caught up in the ´need to please everyone´ and ´mustnt let people down´ that we can push ourselves too far. I used to be a very high achiever in this area many years ago in London. Constantly burning the candle at both ends regardless of how I felt. There was always an excuse to why I had to do something. Whilst I may have to remind myself occasionally, I can see how things have improved greatly since many years ago.

The underlying reason is often more to do with self worth than anything. Are we really valuing our needs in that moment? Or are we prioritising somebody else´s before ours?


Where do you place health and well being on your priority list?

What is your body whispering to you right now? What does it need?

Sure, its important to continue evolving, moving forward, and experiencing life to the full. However sometimes that experience is simply enough to sit still for a moment and listen to the sound of the wind in the trees. Being aware of our surroundings and really experiencing every moment through our senses.

Its all about balance. Knowing what feels right for us in each moment and acting on that to make our decision whether we want to enjoy some quite ´me time´ to relax or whether we feel like going out for a fun evening with friends.


Are you feeling guilty for taking time out for you?

What beliefs and fears are behind this?


Finding a balance is knowing your boundaries, trusting your gut feeling and being ok with saying ´Sorry I have plans already, is there another time we can both do?´. Time out for you, is just as valid as plans with a friend. Its more about what we prioritise in our lives, our level of self worth and our beliefs about the world rather than being seen as ´selfish´ as some may say.

By caring for yourself as one of your highest priorities, you are also being more loving and caring to others. Allowing yourself to be fully present, energised and and the most help to them rather than turning up tired, drained and distracted.

So its not so selfish after all!