Do You Choose Courage Or Conformity?

“Do you choose courage or conformity?” I asked myself again after another difficult conversation that left me demotivated to strive for my best. Then I remembered this passage and exhaled, attempting to calm my distressed nervous system.

“It’s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly” T Roosevelt

This quote has been such a driver for me. Every time I thought of choosing comfort and conformity over courage in my journey of Personal Revolution…

I chose courage over comfort though; Every – Single – Day!

You know how the other quote goes. “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” And it was by sharing stories and insights with some great minds that I was inspired to push through the pain and get the life I wished for.

So now, I’m on a mission to spread the nuggets of wisdom that changed my life. I’ll be doing this by chatting to some truly inspirational people.

What’s my main purpose for starting this adventure?

To help my clients of course. They often think they’re the only ones experiencing the negative emotions and feel unfulfilled. They believe they have no other choice but to carry on as they are.

With the help of my beautiful guests, I plan to inspire you to get the courage and clarity to live life on your terms. Because I think that’s key to families and workplaces becoming happier, more connected places.

So watch out for my “Inspiring Courage” video series next week. I’m so looking forward to hearing my guests’ favourite quotes and the lessons they’ve learnt. And what the success factors were in them moving forward when they faced the same question I did time and again; “Do You Choose Courage Or Conformity?”

If you know of anyone who’d like to share their inspirational nuggets of wisdom, please drop me a line.

Love and strong coffee

Vafa

Getting Curious…

“Somewhere beyond right and wrong, there’s a garden. I will meet you there” Rumi

In loving memory of CH RIP 💔🖤💔

What’s one of the best pieces of advice you have ever been given?

Mine was to find my Ikigai when I was in the process of redefining my path and kept experimenting with new business ideas.

For years, I had a deep-rooted belief that all I could do for work was the profession I was trained to do. I had invested 25 years of my life in it after-all.

So I decided to become an explorer during which time I met a lot of people from different backgrounds. I became a curious student again and asked lots of good questions. I listened to the stories of many business owners at different stages of their journey. Some were start ups, and others seasoned entrepreneurs. Every single one had a viewpoint and a perspective worth listening to.

The new insights led to the doors of wonder being opened up in my mind where my logical left brain had dominated my outcomes up until that point. It was time to allow the creative right brain to get a turn in determining my future path. It was time to think differently.

I started to question my current limiting beliefs. It was like putting new colour shades on which changed the way the world appeared! I wondered what any of those people would do if they were in my shoes?

I compiled a list of strengths and the traits others valued in me. The activities I enjoyed taking part in. I wrote a list of tasks that motivated me. To take an audit of the things I would gladly do all day every day even if I wasn’t being paid was a useful first step for sure.

I was determined to find something that made my heart sing. And that’s what I now inspire and help my clients to achieve.

I present them with three questions to open the doors of wonder:

What would you do if you had all the time, money and resources in the world?
How would you choose to live if you knew you had a few months to live?
Who could you approach to seek different perspectives from?

I lost a dear friend yesterday. She championed me to the end and was an inspiration. She made everyday count because she knew the end was near. What would you do differently if you knew the end was near?

Let’s remember. You only get one life. Why not live it on your terms. How can you get the life you wish for?

Reach out and let’s have a chat

What’s Your Lesson Today?

“This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness. Some momentary awareness comes, as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture. Still, treat each guest honourably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight. The dark thought, the shame, the malice. Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in. Be grateful for whatever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond” Rumi

Found this beautiful and timely passage when I was looking through my library of inspirational quotes. Most of us are going through a roller-coaster of emotions and this text says it all. As always, we aren’t in control of the circumstances around us. But we are in control of our responses to each circumstance.

Next time you’re caught in the thick of it, ask yourself:

“What is happening here? What is ‘this’ trying to teach me?” Take yourself away from your environment. Concentrate on your breath. Mindful breathing calms the nervous system. You’ll be surprised at how much more resourceful you are at dealing with the situation at hand.

It’s so important to honour every emotion, but not let them take control. Being able to recognise and label the emotion is key to how it can be reframed

It’s vital to teach our kids a healthy mental resilience and be the examples they’d want to lead. Discussing our thoughts and our feelings openly will give them permission to recognise and acknowledge their own emotions.

I’ve been working with a number of school aged children, supporting them with their challenges. Reach out if you’d like a chat please.

Love and strong coffee

Vafa

How Do You Colour?

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

Albert Einstein

When was the last time you coloured outside the lines? I mean, when was the last time you pushed outside of your comfortable boundaries?

I’ve been colouring outside the lines for a number of years now. It all started when I began to challenge my beliefs and values that were deeply ingrained.

And when lockdown was imposed, I wanted to stay connected with my network. So I decided to become visible on social media and started doing videos. Something I had shied away from, partly because of my limiting beliefs of not being able to do a good enough job!

Not only I’ve grown used to sharing my views on video, I’ve been able to help many people who contacted me. I’ve also been invited on fb and IG lives to share insights. So, I’d say that I’ve fulfilled my purpose of providing a safe space for my audience to talk and make sense of their stories. It just goes to show that good stuff happen when you step outside your comfort zone.

I often challenge my clients on their limiting beliefs by asking them to “imagine” how they would be if they were less afraid? It’s only by exploring different experiences that we build new habits. Who knows what great opportunities you may stumble upon if you chose to be different!

So I’m curious; how are you building new habits during these times?

What have you done differently that you couldn’t imagine doing before lockdown, and how have you felt about your new experiences?

Love and strong coffee

Vafa