In February 2018, I reached out to coaching organization Noomii for help with my career. After initial consultations with three coaches, I worked with the great Marilyn Rose of Marilyn Rose Coaching. Throughout our sessions, Marilyn taught me about energy leadership styles, asked penetrating questions that led to discovering new perspectives, changed certain thought and behavior patterns, encouraged me to believe in my gifts and talents, and challenged me to stand in my truth with love, but without fear. She also offered unlimited support via e-mail, text, and phone calls. For more information, check out her website here: http://www.marilynrosecoaching.com.
One of the first encouraging words she gave was the following poem Dare to Believe. I hope it also empowers you for your life’s vision.
Everybody Knows:
You can’t be all things to all people.
You can’t do all things at once.
You can’t do all things equally well.
You can’t do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else’s.
So:
You have to find out who you are, and be that.
You have to decide what comes first, and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,
Because no one else is in the contest of being you.
Then:
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.
You will have learned to live with your limitations.
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due.
And you’ll be a most vital mortal.
Dare To Believe:
That you are a wonderful, unique person.
That you are a once-in-all-history event.
That it’s more than a right, it’s your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem to solve, but a gift to cherish.
And you’ll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.
Making Peace With Me
This poem addresses one of my greatest challenges: the comparison trap. Every time I compare myself, my gifts, talents, limitations, and challenges with others, I lose my joy. I used to ask, “Why don’t I have Beyonce’s body? Why can’t I live overseas? Why can’t I strike out on my own without any family ties? Why can’t I go to Hollywood?”
Over time, I have made peace with the fact that I have broad shoulders instead of an hourglass frame, that my calling starts in America, that one of God’s purposes for me is to love, serve and empower my family, church, and community, and that the seemingly glamorous Hollywood is largely smoke and mirrors.
Which one of these points in the poem is the greatest challenge for you? What is your biggest takeaway? I would love to hear from you.