Tag: faith

Posted in My Journey

Unexpected things happen, have Gratitude!

Posted on by HOLLY STEVENS

My life plans changed, a fork in the road I was avoiding. I saw and acknowledged it; the warning signs were there! Plan “B” was in place. Still, there wasn’t a plan “B” exit.

I continually strive to live above the line with integrity, honesty, and transparency. I believed that and would be enough. Then the ‘unexpected’ opposing stronghold began challenging my well-being; I have chosen to STOP, CHALLENGE, and CHOOSE.

I genuinely am grateful for the obstacles blocking plan “B.” I believe if plan “B” had a clearly marked exit, I would have missed it. I am ready to take control of my life. I will live my purpose intentionally. I have the passion I was created to have.

Sometimes we get squandered and don’t even realize it, and we go through the survival motions and just exist. I will admit that I am embarrassed with the “wake-up” call it took for me. The awareness is changing the trajectory of my life. The growth is changing it too. The changes it is forcing me to make are definitely having an impact. Showing me the value of myself and those who genuinely care for and about me.

When we choose to not reach out to our real tribe. When we decide to try and handle things on our own, we feel embarrassed, weak, or unworthy. This takes us to a place in our journey going backward.

There is no such thing as just maintaining. We are beings of energy, and energy is in constant motion. Ahead or backward, positive or negative. When the universe wants or needs us to MOVE, we will be given what it takes to make it happen. Be it a nudge or a slap of reality that can lead to embarrassment if need be. It will happen!

On July 7th, 2022, that is precisely what happened to me. A big ole’ slap of uncomfortable reality. That I am and will be forever grateful for. It is not something I wish upon anyone, and it is not easy to deal with or face. Still, it was something done TO ME. It was a negative choice of another human being. How I choose to respond is how I choose to let it affect me.

I am worthy of my rights and my boundaries. I am worthy of justice for my rights and my limits. Moreover, I am worthy of the lesson and the growth from the situation. I am worthy of self-love and receiving genuine love from others. Love is not earned; love is given.

As I go through this transformation in my life, I am grateful for the tools I have available to me. As the ugliness of the situation arises, I gain the ability to STOP my thoughts. I can CHALLENGE those thoughts. I can CHOOSE how to respond to MY THOUGHTS that I have 100% control of. I stay conscious of my ability and power to STOP, CHALLENGE, and CHOOSE MY response to ALL THINGS.

What have I learned thus far? I have a voice. I have a right to be heard when it comes to my well-being. I do NOT have to “abide and provide.” I am created to Enhance and Empower those put on my path in my life. Life is a journey, not a destination. People and things change; we must choose to GROW with life.

I am grateful for everyone in my life, whatever season I spend with them. Some will stay, some will go; I CHOOSE to GROW. I CHOOSE to MOVE AHEAD for the greater good. This detour in my journey is a tough one. I have immense gratitude for my faith, my program, my tribe, and my strength. I use these as a springboard to share my story. I want others to know they do not have to go it alone!

Confidence #4
Posted in Confidence

Becoming a Clear Decision Maker: Confidence #4 Insights

Posted on by HOLLY STEVENS

Once you make a decision, the Universe conspires to make it happen

Ralph Waldo Emerson

You can discover that you are MORE than any failure you have ever had. Feel renewed knowing that you have the power to overcome any obstacle that comes or is put in your way. Having that amazing feeling knowing you are GREATER than ANYTHING you ever face. Consider this thought. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t given, or didn’t have access to the ability to be an “over-comer.”

We have the ability to connect with an inner source to allow us to be a clear, confident decision maker. We have access to our own GPS. It is a guidance system that we can turn to and listen to any time. It helps us with choices that guide us to our purpose with passion.

When we explore our Intuition and let our inner voice guide us, we will automatically feel it. We will know when a choice we make is in harmony with our highest good. Learn to pay attention to your inner voice. It will give you the confidence to make any decision in your life.

We are all given a purpose in this life. This is a purpose that serves our highest good. We are given the true Authentic Self-Confidence to pursue discovering that purpose. When we discover this purpose, we develop a passion and love that fills us from within. No one or anything can give us this from the outside. Unlocking confidence in our decision making is yet another stepping stone in our path to our purpose, passion, and dreams.

Being really clear on what we would love our life to be, making confident decisions from that very place. We must realize, there are many different types of decisions we make in any given day. These decisions can and will impact our self-confidence. This provides a new level of understanding. It builds trust in how making those choices can help our purpose, passion, and dreams.

We develop an understanding and trust. This development guides us to know when we are operating for our highest good and when we are not. We discover two secret keys to get in touch with our inner voice. These keys help us know with Authentic Self-Confidence that we are making the best possible decision. This assurance applies no matter the situation or circumstance we face in that moment.

So, what do we do when we want a bowl of ice cream? We get up and go to the freezer. We grab the container of vanilla and the ice cream scoop. Sometimes, we grab a bowl and a spoon. We are ready to enjoy! We made a decision and took the steps needed to achieve the goal. That was a simple one. Yet, if the chocolate ice cream had also been in the freezer, the decision would have been made more challenging. We make decisions every day of our lives; some are easy, others more difficult.

We have all found ourselves in situations where we had no clue what to do. We didn’t know what direction to take or what move to make. We just couldn’t decide what the best thing to do was. We all feel that way at times. We have options and opportunities before us. We just don’t know what the right choice would be. We get stuck in the “thinking” about decisions. This keeps us stuck. We do not move ahead to our purpose, passion, and the life we love living. This is NOT the place we would like to stay for any time. Instead, we want to connect with the source within us that will help us become clear, confident decision-makers.

As part of the human experience, we all make decisions. Most of the decisions we make are done without thinking about them, they come out of habit, or by default. Some decisions need much more consideration and planning. We debate with ourselves back and forth on what the “right” thing to do is. We even turn to others for advice. During all this, there is ONE (GPS) guidance system. We can each turn to it at any point and time. When we really listen, it helps us make the choices. These choices propel us in the direction of being the person who CAN, DO, and BE whatever we choose.

The key is strengthening our personal relationship with the part of us that already knows ALL THE ANSWERS, our Intuition. When we allow our Inner Voice to guide us, we sense when a choice aligns with our highest good. We can tell when a decision matches our best interest. We become more aware of what the cues are. When we pay attention to them, they will guide us toward freedom. They lead to happiness in all areas of our life.

There are times that we feel that we haven’t made the best choice or decision… We just need to take a breath. Send a kind glance toward that thought. Look at life through a new lens, the lens of clarity. Focus on our inner Self, Intuition, the one who is here to give us confidence. We need this confidence to make any choice or decision, whether great or small.

Here is a recap of what I have learned, utilizing myself and also want to share with you so you can do the same:

  • I have the ability to make a snap decision, or a considered decision.
  • Confidence in decision-making comes with knowing what I really want, and serving it with my time and attention
  • The most important decision I will make is to choose where within myself I find the place to make choices. These choices must matter to me.
  • If I make a decision that matters to me, it is okay to get it wrong. It is part of the process on the way to getting it right.
  • No one else can know what my Inner Voice is telling me. Not even a trusted advisor, or someone close to me.
  • Deep down, there is only one thought that really matters: “I would really LOVE to do this.”
  • The voice that assists me in making decisions about an idea offers guidance. It provides either feelings of greater expansion or contraction.
  • Confidence in my ability to make decisions is something that can absolutely be grown and developed.

There are three things that were suggested that I do to help me become a Clear, Confident Decision Maker:

  1. To consider some decisions I am making and notice the feeling I get while making them. Am I feeling expansion or contraction? What do I sense about those feelings?
  2. When I am making a decision, I lean in to the voice of truth. It is the part of me that already knows the answer.
  3. Each day, I pay attention when I am making decisions. I notice if there is a gravitational pull toward the familiar. I also observe if there is a feeling of contraction or one of expansion.

We are moving into the final step of Authentic Self-Confidence. This is Confidence #5. I will be sharing about Freedom From the Opinions of Others. This was a huge one for me. We have built a belief in ourselves. Anytime we face criticism or discouragement from outside sources, we CAN STAND TALL, STRONG, and CONFIDENT anyway. Many powerful people have utilized this secret formula to grow their authentic self-confidence. Now, we are unshackling and developing ours too!

Here’s to listening and hearing our inner voice!!

Holly

Posted in Confidence

Building Confidence #3: Embracing Failure for Growth

Posted on by HOLLY STEVENS

Hold up your head! You were not made for failure. You were made for VICTORY! Go forward with a joyful confidence.

George Eliot

Are you feeling ready to befriend the fears that are holding you back? Are you prepared to let those fears become stepping stones? Will they guide your journey of passion and purpose in your life now?

We have all had failures in our journey this far in life, and if you haven’t, well… I’m afraid life is passing you by. Those failures we’ve had do not make any of us failures! On the contrary, we can actually use our failures. All the obstacles that have been in our way have helped to BUILD our Self-Confidence. We need to find the gift of growth each failure has blessed us with.

Each of us has a POWER within that is GREATER than ANYTHING we have gone through. It is also GREATER than anything we will ever go through. As we’ve discovered, we have ALL experienced failure, that my friend, is what allows us to be HUMAN. We don’t get it ‘right’ every time. That is impossible. When we do fail, we can see and use the OPPORTUNITY to gain wisdom, understanding, growth and strength.

From the moment we were born into this life, we have faced and overcame obstacles! As I mentioned in Confidence #2 post, we relied on the infinite to overcome one of our very first obstacles. This was about communicating our basic needs. Being fed, diaper changed, letting our caregiver know that we are uncomfortable. We learned to fall asleep on our own, learning to sit up, crawl, walk, talk, to tying our shoes. We’ve all put our shirt on backwards, or inside out while learning to dress ourselves. We’ve all put our shoes on the wrong feet. For a young adult, learning to read a map involves challenges. They take the wrong turn. Running out of gas can happen when becoming a responsible {Response-Able} adult. Generally there was never a second thought that these were failures or that we were a failure because of them. It’s OKAY that we made mistakes along the way.

Nobody ever likes to “get it wrong.” Messing up is not fun, it can cause headaches, heartaches, and stress. There have been a mistake so painful that we choose not to ever think about it again. Yet it replays in our minds repeatedly. Sometimes even unconsciously. Over time, sometimes days, sometimes years, our self-confidence dissipates. We give up because we feel as though we will never “get it right.” We think, what’s the use? There is indeed a useful part of failure – every perceived failure has a seed of success planted within it. We MUST be willing to look for it. We have to understand one crucial thing. We must trust that it is okay to get it wrong on the path to getting it right.

We have experienced many small failures accumulating over time. Alternatively, we feel we have encountered a significant failure. We have had failures, but we are NOT a failure. “Failure” is just simply a meaning that we have placed on a situation that we have had. We have the POWER within us to re-frame any experience. This serves us and grants us self-confidence. It does this instead of tearing us down. Every time something doesn’t work out or goes differently than we envisioned, we try it again another way. We do this until it works. That, my friend, is simply the BLESSING and GIFT OF GROWTH! This is another part of gaining wisdom.

The expansive feeling comes from growing and expanding through failure. It also involves understanding that we do NOT ALWAYS have to “get it right” or be perfect. We can think about a particular circumstance that did not turn out the way we had hoped. Through reflection, we can see that we are MORE than that event. We are MORE than that circumstance. We have gained wisdom…

OK, now, take a deep breath and hear what I am about to say… you feel discouraged and even worried that thinking about failures will only cause more feelings of failure. We DON’T stay there, we DON’T focus on the failure, we acknowledge it and we set it aside. Remember, this is about BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE. Learn how the Power within us is greater than ANYTHING we have gone through. It is greater than anything we will ever go through.

Be GRATEFUL for this (failure) experience to learn, for it is the seed that was planted. Now, just be still, see, and even listen all while being open to the growth of your Self-Confidence.

Here is a recap of what I have learned, utilizing myself and furthermore want to share with you:

  • I have had failure, that does NOT make me a failure, failure does NOT have me. I AM more than ANY failure I have ever had!
  • EVERY failure has within it, a seed of greater advantage.
  • I can set down any ideas I’ve had about failure. I am GRATEFUL for yet another learning, growing, strengthening day in my life.
  • Failure is simply another opportunity for me to learn.
  • Learning is done through trial and error. I started learning that way from day one of my life. It is still the same today. I get it right and get it wrong, figuring it out as I go.
  • The learning through success is EQUAL to learning from failure. BOTH inform us. BOTH guide us. BOTH make us MORE of who we are capable of being!
  • NO ONE is exempt from failure. Everyone of us has experienced it in one form or another. It is simply part of being HUMAN!
  • As children, it was taken for granted that we should make mistakes. As adults, we have adopted the thinking that we should get it right all the time.
  • Some of the most accomplished individuals, had some of the most massive failures, yet, they DID NOT GIVE UP!

Here are three things that have been suggested I do on a continual basis, reminding me that obstacles are opportunities:

  1. Writing out in my journal at least 10 successes that I have had in life. I start with early achievements like learning to walk and tying my shoes.
  2. Remember this affirmation: “it is OKAY to get it wrong.” You will find the right way eventually.
  3. Whenever something does not go as I had planned, I can neutralize it. I realize that it is simply something that happened.

The next step I will share with you in Confidence #4 post is Clear, Confident Decision Maker. We have connected with the part of us that puts fear and failure into its proper perspective. Now, we are moving into Clear, Confident Decision Making. Here, we will offer a simple strategy. This strategy is powerful for making decisions. These decisions are in service to the highest good. We have used this skill many times without even realizing it. The good news is, we will now know what it really is. We will also know how to develop and strengthen it. Just a little secret I want to share with you… it only takes practice!

Here’s to GROWING and STRENGTHENING our AUTHENTIC Self-Confidence, with wisdom, power, passion, and purpose!!

Holly

Posted in Confidence

Understanding Confidence #2: Empowering Your Growth

Posted on by HOLLY STEVENS

Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage and confidence in the doing.

Theodore Roosevelt

Now that we are clear about what True Authentic Self-Confidence is, we understand what it is not. We also know where it comes from. We understand that we all feel a lack of confidence at times. This often happens when we try something new. Fear can cause us to stop moving forward, yet, we can have fear WITHOUT fear having us! Confidence is not the absence of fear – it is continuing to grow and move forward despite the fear. We can grow and strengthen our confidence muscles by doing things that scare us. And we can also learn to step into fear, and actually befriend it.

We gain new strength when we understand what fear really is. We also gain strength by understanding what confidence really is. This strength overcomes doubts and worries. These are the doubts and worries that have kept us stuck in our current circumstances. Knowing confidence is NOT the absences of fear. Self-Confidence is growing and moving PAST FEAR, and towards our calling from the Infinite.

We recall moments of achievement. These arise when we look back over our lives. This happened because we took that risk, and we SUCCEEDED! Taking action is sometimes the greatest satisfaction, especially when we are doing it afraid. Fear is a real part of life. No one doesn’t face fear in their life. We must understand, fear is not just a phobia of spiders, snakes, bugs, etc. Fear can be a fear of heights or confined spaces. It can manifest in being in front of people or even driving on an unknown road. The fear we experience most of the time is much more subtle. It steals our confidence. Sometimes we aren’t even fully aware of it. It keeps us stuck. It causes us to question ourselves, thoughts of “what if I’m not good enough?”, “What if I don’t like what I learn about myself?”, “what if others don’t agree?”, “Is this really even possible?”. We MUST REMEMBER we are NOT ALONE feeling this way.

As we pursue our passion and purpose in our life, we long to live a life we love. We will face new territory. There will be new people, new places, and different ‘things’ we have never experienced before. This can make us feel afraid to take the next step. The TRUTH is, we ALL feel a lack of confidence when trying something new. Fear creates a physical and emotional response. These responses can cause us to stop moving forward. Unfortunately, up until now, we have let them. Now that we have a better understanding of Self-Confidence, we realize it is our connection to the Infinite. We KNOW we have CONFIDENCE already WITHIN US. We can befriend fear, move beyond it, and continue moving forward with passion and purpose. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US HAVING FEAR, AND FEAR HAVING US!

This my friends is how we GROW CONFIDENCE muscles! We do the things that scare us. Continually pushing through challenges. By doing so, leading us to a higher version of our SELF. When we step into our greatness, we will undoubtedly have fear. Still, we CAN make friends with that fear. This creates another stepping stone in our path or a brick in our foundation. The One breathing us will ALWAYS help us find the confidence and courage when WE SEEK IT.

Here is a recap of what I have learned, utilizing myself and also want to share with you so you can do the same:

  • I grow MY CONFIDENCE by feeding MY FAITH and starving my fear.
  • The voice of fear is ALWAYS the voice of contraction, living a smaller version of myself.
  • Knowing and believing that Confidence is my birthright.
  • To pursue my purpose and passion, is not only reaching for the goal, it is achieving strength in my confidence.
  • I can feel the fear and do it anyway!
  • Fear is in the future. Doubt is from the past. Worry is the misuse of my imagination. CONFIDENCE IS IN ME ALWAYS!
  • Fear is actually the border of the reality that I know.
  • With my growing, expanding confidence, I have learned the difference between having fear and fear having me.
  • I must be aware that fear speaks through distraction, dissuasion and distress.
  • Fear is my companion as I grow, and I CAN make friends with that voice of fear!

There are a couple of things that were suggested that I do when I feel that fear is “moving in”

  1. Write down my fear thoughts, and ask myself “Is that actually happening RIGHT NOW?”
  2. Engage with gratitude! Which choices can I be grateful for in THIS MOMENT?

I will share the next step in the Confidence #3 post: Turning Obstacles into Opportunities. We have identified our Authentic Self-Confidence. We know it’s a trustworthy source. Fear has absolutely no hold on us. Ask yourself this: Can we take our experience of “failure” and use it for growth? Can it expand our confidence to pursue our purpose and passion? Failure is nothing to be ashamed of; it is nothing less than a stepping stone. Were you a failure every time you fell down while learning to walk? Absolutely not! We can be inspired by some of the most famous failure-to-success stories out there.

Here’s to learning to FEED OUR FAITH, and starve our fear!!

Holly

Posted in Confidence

Discover the Power of Authentic Confidence #1

Posted on by HOLLY STEVENS

If one advances Confidently in the direction of his dreams, he will meet with success. By endeavoring to live the life he has imagined, he’ll meet with a success unexpected in common hours.

~Henry David Thoreau

Connecting with your TRUE SELF, this is your internal power connecting with the Infinite. The Infinite gives us Confidence, because it IS Confidence. When open to this connection with the Infinite, we can expand our personal awareness. We experience our TRUE SELF. This allows us to live a life of TRUE LOVE.

Knowing that Authentic Self-Confidence is our birthright, because we are alive and breathing, creates a deserving of Confidence. We deserve to be empowered to speak and act on our TRUE SELF. Having trust in ourselves. Doubts come up, we recognize them and let them go. We can take a deep breath and stay in our calm, and open state of mind. When we trust the Infinite, we trust ourselves.

Something to remember: We do NOT generate our Self-Confidence, we draw from our Authentic Self-Confidence.

Thinking back to your childhood, what did you want to be when you grew up? Do you recall what it was? How about after graduating from high school – was there a passion for career plans? Did you ever pursue that dream? Or as for many of us grown-ups, did your confidence in those ideas just fade away as did the time? As the time goes by, it seems our ability to dream and have belief in ourselves can just dwindle away. Outside forces often stop us from doing what we would love to do. They prevent us from being who we would love to be. We must choose to awaken our TRUE SELF. In doing so, we discover that we have unshakable confidence inside ourselves. This confidence is in our very DNA. So, you ask, if confidence is IN us, how do we access it?

Let’s start here, with another common questions: What exactly is self-confidence and self-image?

For many of us, self-confidence and our self-image are formed by outside influences. Our parents and school teachers train us to “think” we must live a particular way. Even people in popular culture influence us to behave, act, or try to look a certain way. Maybe unskilled people made insensitive comments when we went out on our own or tried something different. They did the best they knew at the time. These comments harmed our confidence, allowing us to settle. We went on feeling unworthy to live the life we were dreaming of and meant to live. We need to know in our minds and hearts that there is MORE IN US deep down! Something GREATER, something that IS full of the confidence we’ve been freely given and we deserve. Our SPIRIT is calling us, desiring us to realize that WE ARE CAPABLE of MORE, simply because WE ARE MORE!

Whatever you choose to call it – Spirit, Source, Being, or simply Self. Whatever its name, the internal power is in connection with the Infinite. The Infinite breathes us and beats our hearts. The Infinite provides our unending supply of confidence because it IS CONFIDENCE. We need to be open to connecting with the Infinite. This openness will expand our awareness. Then, we experience the life we desire.

We are DESERVING of Authentic Self-Confidence, it is our BIRTHRIGHT! simply by virtue of being born and alive. When we draw from this self-confidence, we feel safe to speak and act on OUR truth. No one is entitled to override this. Not even ourselves. This is a deep sense of trust in our SELF, then by extension, the world. Restoring the trust in ourselves allows us to be still within our self. We can listen from within our self. We give our self permission to be quiet and be connected with the Infinite. This connection helps us to know and share our TRUE SELF.

Something to remember: We are ALL brought into this world in the same way, we are each a blessing born! We had only the Infinite to trust to “interpret” our communication to our caregiver getting our basic needs met… when we were hungry, “I am hungry” cry. When we were wet, “My diaper needs changed” cry, something is uncomfortable, “I’m not feeling good” cry. We trusted, as we knew no other way, it was our only option. As we’ve grown, we received grace from our caregivers as we learned to crawl. Then, we learned to walk. We began to talk with many ups and downs. Then as we got older, that trust was channeled to our earthly ways and our earthly understandings. We became molded to our earthly mind, generating our confidence. We did not draw from the confidence we have already been given.

Here is a recap of what I have learned, utilizing myself and in addition want to share with you:

Confidence is NOT based in our behavior, past, talents or IQ!

Confidence IS based in knowing and trusting there IS a power within US that gives us life!

We are human, and we are NOT able to feel 100% confident 100% of the time!

Everyone of us feels less confident at times than we want to.

So this is when we need to “borrow” confidence and strength from another. I have been so blessed and fortunate. There are people in my life whose confidence I have borrowed. This confidence has provided the strength to reconnect to my Infinite. I LOVE to pay-it-forward, giving to others what has been given to me!

Our Spiritual DNA is PERFECT, and inside of that spiritual DNA is PERFECT CONFIDENCE!

We have to CHOOSE to re-access the confidence we were born with. Confidence has already been GIVEN to us, as our BIRTHRIGHT. In the unconscious detour in life, we were NOT meant to “generate” confidence. Creating an ego gets in our way and creates a dead end on our detour.

Our longing for a greater confidence is actually the echo of the very Power breathing us, and beating our hearts.

Confidence comes from a source INSIDE us. This source is GREATER than any opinion. It is much STRONGER than any circumstance or situation.

Knowing and trusting your AUTHENTIC self that YOU are doing YOUR BEST in ANY moment, circumstance, or situation. I know and trust that I can consciously check in with myself, accepting that I am not perfect. However, this perfect moment is here to be, and to do my best!

No one else is you. No one else cares exactly the way you care. No one else is wired exactly the way you are wired. YOU ARE UNIQUE!

Unshackling an unshakable confidence helps us to overcome difficulties and master fears!

Our body is a GIFT. This is true regardless of our opinions about its size, shape, color, or being. It also holds true regardless of the opinions others have had.

Opinion is NOT truth!

Most of the time, everyone has an opinion—that is just what it is—an opinion. We only need to be concerned with our own opinions. They come from within our core, authentic, true self.

There are three things that have been asked of me to do on a continual basis, reminding me of MY AUTHENTIC TRUE SELF, that NO ONE else can do FOR ME:

  1. Make a list of my successes and recall the feelings I FELT with each of the achievements.
  2. Look myself in the mirror. I remind myself WHO I AM. I acknowledge the POWER that is IN ME. I have been blessed with this power as MY BIRTHRIGHT.
  3. Use the words “up until now” when recalling negative comments and opinions. These include situations and circumstances that I or others have related to ME.

The next step I will share with you in Confidence #2 post is Feeling the Fear and Doing it Anyway. Realizing when we feel afraid of something, we are NOT alone. The Power inside of us is willing to empower, participate, and encourage us EVERY STEP OF THE WAY! As we face that fear and befriend it. We MUST remember that it was ONLY UP UNTIL NOW that it tried to hold us back. Exposing the symptoms of fear, makes it loose its effectiveness. I have learned one very significant step that I have taken to redirect my fear into my personal power. I am so blessed to share with you my journey to Authentic Self-Confidence.

To Your Authentic Core Self, having Authentic Self-Confidence,

Holly

Posted in Confidence

Unshackling Authentic Self-Confidence: A Journey Within

Posted on by HOLLY STEVENS

Where does your feeling of confidence come from? The ring on your finger? the vehicle you drive, your job title? your education? your parents/children’s status/success? the physical possessions you have? Where you live? your community status quo?

OR

Does your confidence come from within YOU? Knowing your physical being is in regular close connection with your spiritual being. Understanding your purpose in life. Knowing who you are with confidence lets you overcome fears. You learn from failures and make important decisions along the way. These empower you to create a life you love living. You understand your DNA of Authentic Self-Confidence. You know the truth of who you are. You feel comfortable and at ease in all areas of your life, no matter what.

Today’s society has a misconception of true authentic self-confidence and living from an external ego. Keeping up with the latest and greatest technology for our kids and ourselves to be {the new} social. I’m not referring to the need for technology for academics and work. Having the latest and greatest social apps so we can communicate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without eye contact, body language, and not knowing how to act when “in true person.” We post pictures that are ‘photoshopped’. We hope to never show our authentic, true selves. We do this because we never match up to the techno version we’ve created and put out there. Still, that “gap” WILL catch us. We won’t or can’t ever match up to the electronic version. Whether we are aware of it, it is riding on and in us consciously or unconsciously. It leads us to live in a world based on ego and defensiveness. We are running from ourselves or even trying to catch ourselves. This creates a double battle within us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week…

As my Mentors and Life Coaches have shared with me… I would like to share with you:

Some days we feel like we are on top of and can conquer the world! Other days, we don’t even want to get out of bed. We’ve all felt that way before. What is the difference between those kinds of days? Quite often, it is the degree of self-confidence we are feeling at that time. Many factors can influence how we feel about ourselves. They also impact our ability to do the things we want to do. It can be as simple as a ‘bad hair day.’ It can also be as tough as ‘feeling the pressure’ of living up to other’s expectations. These expectations include those we’ve put out there ourselves. There is a way to keep those outside influences from impacting our self-image and self-confidence. We can have more days when we feel powerful and unstoppable from within ourselves. We CAN live with AUTHENTIC SELF-CONFIDENCE empowering ourselves to love life, and love living life.

I have been taught by my teachers, mentors, and coaches. Life has also taught me through hard knocks. The truth is that we are spiritual beings who have a human experience. It is part of life that someone will say something insensitive to us that hurts our feelings or embarrasses us. The natural human response is to feel slighted or deeply hurt. It can sometimes snowball. Those unkind words play on repeat in our own minds. They develop other not-so-pleasant thoughts about themselves. This process tears down our self-esteem. Our self-image can also be affected by the perceptions we have. These perceptions come from experiences in our childhood. They can be both positive and negative. The key is: not to allow criticism or shame to become a part of our belief in ourselves. To achieve this, we need to understand who we are at our core. We should live from this core as often as possible. Let it become our pervasive thought process. It means we connect with our inner being. We recognize the Infinite side of us. We always know we are truly more than any situation, circumstance, or condition that we face. Living the absolute best we can, in any given moment, no matter what is coming AT us. Remembering, a boat can’t sink unless the water gets inside.

Our physical being must be closely connected with our spiritual being. This connection helps us gain a better understanding of our purpose in life. Authentically knowing who we are builds confidence. It empowers us to overcome fears and learn from failures. This knowledge helps us make important decisions. It also allows us to love life and love the life we are living. When we understand the DNA of Authentic Self-Confidence, we know the truth of who we are. We can feel comfortable in all areas of our life. We stay authentically self-confident, no matter what is coming at us.

When we commit to taking time to connect with the Power breathing us each day, we gain authentic confidence. This confidence allows us to look fear in the face. We can then do nothing less than become friends with it. We must always know that fear doesn’t mean we can’t, it only means we haven’t. Confidence comes only after we choose to do what we were once afraid to do.

Self-confidence grows from the seeds planted and harvested of overcoming challenges and failures, turning obstacles into opportunities. We must accept and be empowered by defeat, without being defeated. Failure is nothing more than feedback, it is actually showing us there is another way to do things.

As we make a daily decision to take action, building our Authentic Self-Confidence, we will realize Confidence is a choice. We have supreme authority over our OWN DECISIONS. We have dominion over our OWN THOUGHTS. Our THOUGHTS affect our FEELINGS, and in turn, our ACTIONS, creating our RESULTS. We are responsible and ‘RESPONSE-ABLE’ for every single thought we think, and move we make. We can be clear and confident in our decision making. Realize that Authentic Self-Confidence is the trait that transforms thoughts into action. This leads to the results we want! We confidently know there are no ‘shortcuts’. We must do confidently what is necessary for ourselves, no matter what anyone else thinks. This allows us to be the best we can be and create the authentic life we want.

You absolutely can grow Authentic Self-Confidence! All that is required is that you pay attention to YOUR ‘Inner Voice’. It all begins on the inside – inside of YOU!

How do you do that? You ask this question just as I was allowed to do. The first step is creating an understanding of what Authentic Self-Confidence is and is not. I will be sharing what I have learned in the next five posts about:

  • What I have learned about the truth about the source of where self-confidence comes from. Discovering what Confidence is, and is not. How to respond when Self-confidence takes a “hit”. Let it propel me towards a loving life. It should not derail me.
  • Stepping out of the comfort zone, doing it with confidence. Allowing authentic Confidence to overcome the fears that used to get in the way.
  • Changing perspective on failures in the past, now, and future. Everyone experiences failure in life. My response to the circumstances is what makes the difference in life.
  • I have been taught what the key is to making any important decision. I have made the most important decision in my life. I gained a new understanding to help me make any future choice with clarity and confidence.
  • This experience has brought me back full circle to the core of my Self-Confidence. I know that my Authentic Self is NOT made by the opinions of others. It is rather shaped from the inside out of ME. I received a secret formula. I have implemented it into my life. Some of the world’s most famous people have used this formula to create immense success in their lives and businesses.

I look forward to continuing my journey into greater Authentic Self-confidence and sharing these skills and outcomes with you. I have been blessed with many failures in my life. These failures have created stepping stones for me. At the time, I do not imagine those failures as blessings. I have been blessed with amazing mentors, coaches, therapists, pastors, and friends. Confidantes and many others have helped me, too. They have helped me recognize the stepping stones and lay them on the correct path. This has helped build the foundation for MY Authentic Core Self, creating Authentic Self-Confidence. I can only give because of what I have received. I strongly want to give others the blessings I have received…

To Your Authentic Core Self, having Authentic Self-Confidence

Holly