New year, new course: Now enrolling - Speaking to What Matters
“I’m going to write my story this year for my kids,” she announces as we’re changing out of our bathing suits, adding, “You inspired me.”
My teeth are chattering. My shoulders are shivering. “Oh that makes me so happy! Thank you for telling me,” I respond as the lights on my Happy New Year headband blink.
I’d met her at a ‘Speaking to What Matters Circle’ right after my book launched. I didn’t know she was also a cold-water-dipper but when I saw her heading into the 55 degrees water early one morning with a group who call themselves Mermaids, I wasn't surprised. Isn’t there a saying about when everything expands, it also converges?
Anyhoo, I myself was expanding. Books were being bought, circles were catching on, and after hosting a brave and beautiful 'Circle' for the Mermaids as well, cold-water-dipping was calling to me.
You would think having the courage to share my story would be the highlight of 2023 and don’t get me wrong, it was and continues to be amazing, awe-inspiring and so-deeply-meaningful to know that my story (and the act of finding, writing and sharing it) is inspiring others into action.
Turns out, being helpful feels really good. (something I’ve always known)
Turns out, cold water dipping feels really good. (complete news to me)
Turns out, doing hard things feels really good. (but you know that)
What you might not know is that when you get clear on your story–when you can see the arc of the challenges you faced, the choices you made, and the change that has come from those choices, you get closer to the truth of who you are.
Yeah, finding, writing and sharing my story was hard. I went as deep as I could to interweave my challenge, choices and changes and found through this act of storytelling the most surprising outcome: the hero inside.
Because – turns out – when we expand, everything converges. We gain clarity, coherency and connection with ourselves, and with others. And I have to say, that feels really, really good.
What I’ve come to learn – turns out – a lot of us want to share our story but don’t know how.
“My Google Doc is ready but I don’t know where to start!” my Mermaid friend added.
I told her about my 6 week course that I’m facilitating in February over Zoom (with no more than 8 people, will be magical and meaningful) and now I’m telling you, too.
I’m no mind reader but by the way she looked at me the word February seemed too far in the future. She wanted to start today (which was New Year’s Day.) So I offered, “I have a freebie on my website that walks people through how to tell their story. You should check it out!”
So I’m telling you about that, too. (Probably not the best business model to tell you about a course and then tell you about a freebie.)
Whatever moves you into action. This is what is important here.
So if this is the year to:
connect the dots, get clear on your story, uncover your why
investigate your story for a bigger writing project down the pike
figure out what to share and what not to share with the people you love
or you’re just curious about how to tell your story and want some accountability
Then check it out: HERE
Finding, writing, and sharing your story is not easy-light work but I can promise good-hearted people who appreciate laughter, courage, truth-telling and connection in a warm and supportive space. Sound like your peeps?
This could be the year you finally connect more deeply and authentically with others – whether it is your family, your audience, your clients, with yourself. I know this will be hard and it will feel really good, too.
This will be the year I put on my striped blue and white bikini (or bright yellow one LOL) before dawn and drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to a little harbor beach where you can see the moon above the bridge and the sun rise behind the city skyline.
And I will smile deeply. Turns out, sometimes what you are looking for has been right inside of you all along.
Happy New Year!