Questions of the Week

There is only one thing that makes dreams impossible to achieve: The Fear of Failure. Don’t give into your fears. If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart. - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist… What is your heart telling you to pursue?

When you look at a problem the same, you end up with the same problem. How do we need to see our problems differently in order to create a different outcome?

What are you grateful for that never occurred yet you once wanted more than anything?

What is your inner voice telling you to pursue and avoid right now?

Where are you hiding and what are you hiding from that is preventing you from being your best self?

And if he'd only grant me this wish I wished back then
I'd never ask for anything again.

Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers
Remember when you're talkin' to the man upstairs
That just because he doesn't answer doesn't mean he don't care
Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers

How many times in your life have you wanted something so bad you could practically taste it only then years later to be so glad it never happened. When I was growing up, there were many times I’d say a prayer and in the words of Garth Brooks, if he’d only grant me this wish I wished back then, I’d never ask for anything again and now I ponder how grateful I am that so many of those prayers went unanswered. Earlier today a friend was texting me about some recent challenges and how life did not go as planned. I asked my friend, how do you know this is a bad thing? It is easy to want something and imagine it playing out perfectly in our mind, only to look at the upside while ignoring any downside. Whether, career, school, jobs, dates, relationships, cars, friends, concerts, or trips; all are among the long list of experiences that didn’t happen for whatever reason and I live in gratitude for these moments. At the time when our goals and prayers go unanswered, it can feel like the end of the earth and truthfully we never know the outcome and will a good or bad thing.

Once upon a time, there was an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years.

One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically, “you must be so sad.”

“We’ll see,” the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses.

“How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed!  “Not only did your horse return, but you received two more.  What great fortune you have!” 

“We’ll see,” answered the farmer.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.  “Now your son cannot help you with your farming,” they said.  “What terrible luck you have!”

“We’ll see,” replied the old farmer.

The following week, military officials came to the village to conscript young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “Such great news. You must be so happy!”

The man smiled to himself and said once again.

“We’ll see,”

In the Alchemist, author Paulo Coelho says, “When you are clear what you want, the Universe conspires to help you,” fortunately, this is not always true. If the Universe conspired to help me a time or two, I would not have this amazing family, living my life with my soulmate and three children. We do not always know what we need or the outcome. Living Untethered is a practical solution so we stay present in the moment. The best example I can think of happened when I was in my early twenties. I was once turned down for a loan, not once… twice….truthfully I lost count. I was utterly devastated…. I was not sure where to go nor what to do next. My partner and I attempted other banks, family, friends and yet no matter what we did, we could not raise the money needed for this major life goal and the our next chapter as entrepreneurs. I was 21 at the time and you’d swear it was the end…. What do you mean I have to have credit? Wasn’t the look in my eyes enough? I had hunger and had thrown a prayer or two out on how important this goal was to us. I’d show those bankers and would keep moving forward. No one, however, would give me or my other broke visionary friend a dime. How many No’s did we face? Honestly, I don’t know and this is not the story of failing 9,999 times only to achieve on the next attempt. Nope, thankfully this is the story of the Universe conspiring against me and truly testing how bad I wanted this goal. It was not to be and I wasn’t exactly sure what to do next. If I had continued to pursue this goal, I’m convinced we would have accomplished our master plan. While you may want something or think you want something, know this; the universe will test your tenacity and grit. This moment in my life was proof that unanswered prayers, defining moments, and divine wisdom exists. I was not supposed to be the captain of a shrimp boat! Yes, after apparently watching Forest Gump one to many times my friend and I attempted to buy our very own Shrimp boat… I lived on the Mississippi coast and had been shrimping a few times, so this seemed like a no-brainer accomplishment. How did no one except us see this vision? I believe there are always other forces at work moving you forward. We may not understand why things are happening at the time and not going according to our plan and stay present at the moment living mindful. Thank you to all the bankers, family, and friends for Unanswered Prayers…