Manifest Your Destiny

I stepped out to the edge of the Grand Canyon, joined by a few strangers who had gathered on this 4° morning for an unimaginably magnificent sunrise. The golden orb broke the horizon, painting sections of the canyon with light.

The effect was stunning and one that photographs never convey. As if on cue, birds awakened and circled above our heads. I wondered, “Who were the first brave souls to cut trails through this beautiful but unforgiving land?”

Manifest Destiny. That’s what it was called.

Pioneers set out West to discover land, fortune, new opportunities. Something inside set them apart from everyone else who remained East.

There is a part of us that craves adventure and wishes to expand beyond the borders we have set for ourselves.

What is the “self” versus perception of the self, and why do we need to know the difference?

I had a call with a friend and client today. It’s been a few months since we’ve spoken, but she is ready for a complete change. After decades in her current field, she’s burned out – and she has been for a while. Our conversation was one I’ve heard countless times.

“Michele, I’m at a total loss as to what I to do with my life! I’ve been in retail sales my whole life and have no formal training. I’m just really good at it. But I want out of retail. I hate it! But, seriously, who’s going to hire me?”

She went on to list all the reasons why someone shouldn’t hire her, and why she can’t transition to another field. Meanwhile, I envisioned all the jobs she could catapult into, including starting her own business.

Her perception of what she does and who she is is very different than my perception of her. Neither is concrete. Neither is permanent. Neither is real.

What do I mean “not real?”

This is a fight I battle every day – not just with clients, but also with myself. The perception of the Self is not the true Self. If you can wrap your head around this concept and really believe it to your core, then you can do anything.

My friend thinks that because she doesn’t have a college degree she is somehow disqualified from successfully pursuing a job outside her present field that pays what she’s making. This stems from her experiences, observations, and subsequent beliefs about qualifications needed to land a peach job.

I’m going to go to odd mental places with this one, so bear with me. In fact, I want you to be “out there” with me. We place ourselves in boxes. We see the boxes (I don’t have a college degree) where they don’t exist (so I project no one will hire me). We imagine confinement, when we are surrounded by space.

Why do we do that – place parameters on ourselves?

Parameters are defined. They may be defined by known things (there are 365 days in a year) that we hold as sacred and constant, but there are always exceptions (what happens when there’s a leap year?). Regardless, we are comforted and reassured by the known, even when it places us into an imaginary container.

It’s similar to thinking the glass is half full or half empty. To be quite honest, I don’t care if it’s half full or half empty. I’m much more interested in what fills up the remainder of the glass. The space. Space is better than what is contained in the glass, because it has no parameters.

The Self is Space. It has no parameters. The perceived Self is the liquid in the glass, whether your glass is half full or half empty.

This is why I teach you to ask, “What are the ways I can?” whenever faced with a challenge. The actual obstacle can be overcome much easier than your own mindset.

How many times in your life did you overcome or accomplish something that you believed was near impossible? And how many times did you think, “That wasn’t as difficult as I thought?” Not that it was easy, but your projection of the difficulty was overblown compared to the actual difficulty?

Perception may not be reality, but it is your reality. (And my perception is mine.)

Then, what is the true Self? Ah, there lies the journey. If the perceived Self is formed by our experiences, stories, relationships, beliefs, and so on, then the true Self (the pure essence of who you are) is the unraveling of it all.

When I say unraveling I don’t mean in a destructive sense. I’m not talking about leaving it all behind and ending all relationships to go on a soul search. Whatever would you do when you came back into society? Unravel in the sense of deconstructing to understand the inner workings. How are all the bits and pieces of your life intertwined? How do your relationships influence you and vice versa?

In yoga we say, “The journey of the Self through the Self to the Self.”

So, why would you care to go on this journey to the Self? Two words: Manifest Destiny.

If we believe we are destined for more, then we must find a way to manifest it. Manifest means to make evident or certain by showing or displaying. Destiny means to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place.

To set yourself apart you must be willing to do what others will not. Unravel your Self to discover your pure essence. Whatever you do, do it with your whole Self. Manifest your destiny.

Sending you all Peace, Love, & Harmony.

Do You Need Help Tapping Into Your Potential?

Are you struggling to meet your goals and wish you had support? Have you ever considered working with a coach? You may not know what a coach does.

One-on-One Coaching:

• You and I develop an individualized plan targeting your specific goals

• You receive individualized support from me

• Answers to your specific questions

• Guidance on your specific issues and blocks

• Accessibility to me outside coaching sessions for added support (individual texts and emails to check in)

• Your plan leads to learning how your personal growth is in your control

Are you ready to take action but are at a loss on what step to take next? 

I can teach you how to get started and accelerate your growth by using repeatable methods. Need the tools? I’ve got them. The goal is always to make you independent. I should be working myself out of a job. Once you take off, you may want to have a session from time to time, especially if you are scaling your goals. A good coach teaches you how to stand on your own two feet. Contact me today. Are you ready to CONNECT?