You Were Not Born to Be Ordinary, So Stand Out and Be EXTRAORDINARY!

Why do we spend so much time and energy out of our precious lives trying to fit the mold that other people try to put us in? We spend so much time trying to fit in when we were born to stand out. It is important to remain yourself and who you were born to be. The world would be so boring and uninteresting if we were all the same type of person doing the same type of thing. That would also hinder our purpose and creativity.

Living a happier and more fulfilled life for me began when I began to "break the rules," and what I mean by "break the rules" is going against the grain of what other people felt like I should be doing, and going with the grain of what I was being divinely led to do. I discovered that I was born to be unique. And by unique I mean creative and phenomenal. Now going against the grain doesn't mean that you never consider the advice of others, but it should be positive advice that is supportive of your uniqueness.

Many times we care too much about what other people are going to think about us, or what other people are going to say about us. So we stay in a "safe place" and never step out to be who we really are. When in reality why does what other people think about us or say about us even matter? Maybe those other people are so critical because they wish they had the courage to step out and allow their uniqueness to shine, but they don't have that courage, so instead they are critical of those who do.

Being true to yourself means that you are in alignment with who you were born to be and what you were called to do. You can create a lot of positive space in your life just by being yourself. And nobody wants to look back 20 years from now and realize that he or she lived their life according to the constraints and guidelines of others. And guess what? Those critical people are not going to have to live with the regret, only you are.

Here is the best way to live your life extraordinary... do what you are being divinely led to do! Even if it makes no sense to others, and it might not make sense to others since it is what you are being divinely led to do and not them. It is often hard for others to identify with things we are inspired to do. And sometimes they don't understand until the results manifest.

You might be surprised at how just going against "what's normal" can contribute to your success. People are drawn to things that are unique and stand out. If you just blend in the same with everyone else in life or in business, how will you stand out and make the impact you were truly born to make?

http://ezinearticles.com/?You-Were-Not-Born-to-Be-Ordinary,-So-Stand-Out-and-Be-EXTRAORDINARY!&id=9369021

Stand OUT! Speaking Tip: Embrace Controversy to Stand OUT!

Sex.

Politics.

Religion.

Now that I have your attention...

An old speaking adage states that 'you should always avoid controversial subjects.

Which leaves me with one burning question...

Why?

If you are a leader, salesperson, or speaker, you will at times be placed in a position of taking a stand about a subject that not everyone agrees on.

If you don't provide a specific point of view, or avoid the issue altogether, how does this make you look?

The most successful people accept this challenge and share their opinions.

Which still leaves the question "why do most people avoid the tough topics?"

I believe it's born from the need of most people to be liked. As a rule, we don't like it when someone is mad at us or disagrees strongly with our point of view.

This need to be liked creates a problem for leaders, salespeople and speakers.

If you're not willing to let others know your thoughts about a difficult subject, you will be either ineffective or quickly forgotten.

How do you feel when you listen to someone talk on a subject that is somewhat 'safe' or even mundane?

You might agree with that person, but do you remember the message, or are you challenged to think?

Probably not.

If you are given the privilege to stand in front of a group and talk, and your inclination is to say what everyone else is saying, take my advice... don't.

The purpose of a presentation should be to change the way an audience thinks, feels or acts. If you are parroting what's been said ad nauseum, what's the point?

Think about the speakers who've impacted you the most. Did they talk about a subject that could upset people, or cause some in the audience to not like them? Most likely, yes.

Were they remembered long after the talk? Did they challenge you to think? Most likely, yes! And that's good.

One critical point to consider when you choose to discuss a controversial topic - do it with respect and in good taste.

The three topics highlighted in the title of this article have been discussed - many times - often with poor results because speakers have either been preachy or even insulting with their comments.

Five keys to discussing touchy subjects:

• State [and re-state] "this is my opinion" and avoid absolute statements of fact
• Acknowledge that this is a controversial topic and that others may disagree
• Ask them to suspend their beliefs long enough to hear your perspective
• Focus on points that support your belief
• Keep Q&A periods short, but offer to be available after to talk further

One other point to consider before tackling a difficult topic - don't do controversy for controversy's sake. There are some people who like to argue just for the sake of arguing. This doesn't respect the audience or their time.

Controversial subjects can be intimidating. They can also present an opportunity to voice your thoughts in a confident and respectful manner. Simply taking the chance to do this can help you stand out from the crowd.

Go ahead - take a stand! You just might end up owning the stage.

https://ezinearticles.com/?Stand-OUT!-Speaking-Tip:-Embrace-Controversy-to-Stand-OUT!&id=9015647

The Pain of Being Mis-Understood

There is a time in all of our lives when we feel discarded, abandoned, lost, unimportant, invisible, cast aside, and basically unwanted and unloved, at least in the way that we want to be or yearn to be. I think we can all recall an event or a situation where we felt unheard. A time when we ached to be acknowledged and validated for WHO we are. I know I have. The pain of being mis-understood was so great that at times it felt unbearable.

About a month ago I came across a video on social media that had gone viral. It was a video of an abandoned/homeless dog named Miley. Miley had been living on a heap of trash, and at first glance you could not even notice her because she “blended in.” How many times has that happened to us? Being in a crowded room yet somehow feeling invisible and alone? Working hard at blending in because the truth is we are petrified to stand out.

I was so moved by the video and Miley’s journey because it resonated with me on a much deeper level. It wasn’t only Miley’s story, it was my story and your story, Miley WAS every man/woman. This thought brought me to tears. I was so compelled that I reached out to “Hope for Paws” with the intention of wanting to adopt Miley. To put an end to her misery, to give her the love that she so deserves, that I deserve, that YOU deserve.

At first it was difficult to even watch the video due to the horrific neglect that she had suffered. So often we are uncomfortable with witnessing struggle and pain. The truth is because we over identify with it. It triggers our own suffering, and our first instinct is to turn the other way, to avoid it. But as I watched the story unfold, I was amazed at Miley’s willingness to receive help. She could’ve have resisted, became aggressive out of fear, like many of us do when there is support to be had. We deny what we really need and want out of fear that we won’t get it or it won’t be how we want it to look.

Miley, however, was receptive, open and grateful. I noticed that when they put the leash on, her initial instinct was to lay back down and stay with what was familiar. Not because she didn’t want the help, but because it is what she had known. The trash pile had become her home.

Staying in what is familiar, even when it is filthy, unhealthy, toxic, and festering with potential disease is common for all of us. We know on some level that we should get out, make a change, acknowledge what isn’t working, but we don’t. We very often CHOOSE to suffer because the fear of the unknown feels greater.

Miley’s wounds were evident, out there for the world to see. Our wounds are not always that easy to notice. We get skilled at hiding them out of fear and shame.

Our appearance can tell an entirely different story, one that is completely incongruent with our inner truth. Internally, we live in darkness. Our brutal inner critic can keep us imprisoned, shutting out any possibility for light. We sabotage relationships and jobs. Our internal landscape begins to define our external reality. We are unable to hold onto peace and joy. We hold ourselves back and stay small even when our hearts desire is longing for more.

What saved Miley was love. She didn’t do it alone. She needed support. She needed those who could give her what she was unable to give herself. They witnessed and validated her wounds. They gave her time to process and heal. They waited patiently for her spirit to shine through. They provided other like-minded companions who had also been wounded. They built trust and together they loved each other out of the darkness and into the light.

I have recently launched a program called The Wilderness Walk, which is a journey into the wilderness to go through the darkness and fear of the inner mind and the pain of the wounded heart in order to integrate all aspects of our being, so we can enjoy full acceptance of who we are. To me, Miley is the epitome of a Wilderness Walker, a courageous being who is open, ready and willing to heal.

As a psychotherapist and coach, I can tell you within one minute who are the individuals who will do whatever it takes to move through their obstacles, challenges, fears, and insecurities as opposed to those who will continue to create excuses and hide out of fear of the unknown. They are both important parts of our journey.

Most of us have been in that place of feeling stuck. It was from that stuck place that I was able to find that twenty seconds of insane courage to begin my own Wilderness Walk. The walk into the darkness of my heart and mind in order to find the freedom that I had spent years yearning for. There is no easy fix, happy pill, or someone else that can do it for you.

It is a deep excavation into all the places that frighten you, so that they no longer have power on you. You stop running and start walking consciously on a new path. A path that holds hidden treasures of insight and awareness. A path that will eventually lead you home.

Are you like Miley?

Are you ready to do what it takes to obtain a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life?

To be a Wilderness Walker?

Or are you still choosing to stay stuck?

http://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/personal-development/pain-of-being-misunderstood/