Reaching Higher After Failure

A few April's ago (while I was still in undergrad) I called my dad on the phone--crying. I'd walked away with $6 in tips from my new waitressing job and was struggling to figure out how I would save for school. Just that spring, I'd decided that instead of returning to my very "stable" and comfortable 8-5 summer job, I would waitress in an effort to make more money. The decision was hard and I felt criticism and doubt from people I had thought supported me. Leaving that night, I felt defeated and fell into a #victimmindset. After my dad gave me a few minutes to vent, he asked, "so what are you going to do about it?"

I'm sure if you reflect back on your life there are moments when you felt powerless, maybe even desperate. If you've been in this space and you conquered it, you probably experienced an energy shift. Somehow, you were lifted out of your misery and offered a clear path amongst the chaos of emotions. I'd put money on it that you received a message or were inspired to some degree to move forward; a life pivot.

Despite how small the question that my dad asked might have seemed, it was a life-pivoting moment for me. I found motivation through those words and still go back to them when I fall flat on my face...which still happens way more often than I'd like to admit.

The next morning, I woke up brainstorming ways I could make money. Within a matter of days, I had three job opportunities on the table. Soon, I was working three jobs and tourist season was in full-swing, which meant my waitressing job was serving my bank account plenty (pun absolutely intended). I had conquered the storm and it felt empowering. The feeling of making a mistake by taking a chance was replaced by peace and clarity; everything was as it should have been.

The lesson I learned that summer has become significant in ways I could never have imagined. The support that showed up when I opened my heart to receiving opportunities has changed my life. I embraced doing something different and being uncomfortable. I trusted the journey and thrived.

Open.
Receive.
Trust.
Thrive.

This summer has been a challenging one.  My husband and I were living in full alignment this past spring to the point where things were working in such harmony that we took it for granted.  We felt it in all of it's intensity.  Then, one decision to not take the first offer on our home shook our plans, catapulting us into unknown territory.  The path hasn't been comfortable and won't be for the foreseeable future, but we continue to have faith that everything is as it should be.  The lessons we've taken away from this and the emotions we've felt are invaluable.  The recovery process has been similar to that from the summer I took a leap of faith on waitressing and reached higher, beyond my comfort zone.  Sure, it's been a little MORE challenging, yet at the end of the day I'm reminded that everything is okay.

Being different is something my husband and I both seek to be. We believe in blazing our own path and living our truth as we feel that we're all born with different gifts and weaknesses to change this world for the better. We don't believe in conforming to the majority to maintain sameness. With this mindset comes criticism and doubt from others. Life gets a little uncomfortable at times. I still struggle with feeling judged and I'm humbled...repeatedly. My ego has been built up, leveled to nothing, and then built up again on so many occasions. Yet, it's all worth it when our souls are set on fire from the smallest sliver of success.

If you're in a space of trial, I hope you take this message and run with it. Be open. Allow yourself to receive what's in store. Trust in the process. Then....thrive. Dare to be uncomfortable. Whether it's standing up for yourself in your career, leaving a negative relationship, or making an unpopular change in your life. Be brave. The journey will be worth it and I'm confident you'll find your way. Sure, your first attempt to step into your truth may not be successful and you will likely feel the pressures of those around you to remain the same. Keep in mind that our dreams are very possible despite failure. In fact, I've learned they are ONLY possible when we are willing to fail.