Here Comes The Judge...Or Not!

Today's How I Did It Story comes from someone who left a six figure prestigious career to begin a more fulfilling passion. Joyce Averils seemed to "have it all" until one day when she realized she no longer wanted the "all " she had.

Ever since I was 12 years old, I wanted to be a lawyer. In my little girl mind, there were really only two professions in the world: doctor or lawyer. I hated the idea of cutting into anything; and I wasn't too thrilled about being around a lot of blood either. So, lawyer it was. After all, I loved watching Perry Mason and I knew I could do what he did. He just talked and like most 12 year olds, I was great at that!

I went to law school at The Ohio State University and following graduation moved to Atlanta and passed the Georgia bar exam. Talk about excited! With all of the things I've done, passing the bar is still one of the proudest moments of my life.

For the next 10 years I was a trial attorney. I truly loved it! I had found my passion. Nothing excited me more than standing in front of a jury and giving a closing argument. I know one of the biggest fears many people have is public speaking. I’m not one of those people. Standing in front of an audience absolutely energizes me.

A few years later, I was appointed to the bench and was eventually promoted to the Chief Judge of my court, and discovered I loved being a judge, just as much as I loved trying cases. Shortly after my appointment, one of my brothers asked me if I remembered what I used to tell people I wanted to be when I grew up. I didn't remember but he reminded me that I always said that I wanted to be in charge and I absolutely got my wish. My professional life was wonderful. I was living a life bigger and better than anything I had ever dreamed was possible.

But, after 14 years of practicing either as an attorney or judge, I began to realize I did not have the same passion I had started with. The day came when I didn’t enjoy what I was doing. I reached a place where my work was no longer enjoyable but had become a very unfulfilled obligation. The fire had burned low and was about to go out but there was a looming question; how could I leave a six-figure paycheck, a prestigious title and one of the few jobs that require everyone to stand up when you enter the room? Leaving didn’t seem to make sense.

As I struggled with that question, I felt as if I was dying inside. My days were filled with stress,anxiety and less fulfillment. There was no joy in my work and I just couldn't take it anymore. Not leaving was no longer an option but a choice I realized I would have to make if I was to ever experience another career ignited by passion.
I knew within my heart I had entered a new season of life. I knew God had something even bigger planned for me and I knew I had to take the chance to do something with everything He had entrusted me with. So, I retired from my job and joyfully entered the next season of my life. 

Was I scared? Absolutely! But, I knew I had to do something different, become someone different. 

So, I started a non-profit, Changing the Buzz, Inc. which helped inner city middle school and high school girls deal with issues of self-esteem and life skills. Next, I began an online women's ministry, Refresh Your Faith, which focused on giving women of faith a fresh way to connect with God. 

On the latest step in my journey, I entered the world of entrepreneurship. My business is My Second Chapter, LLC, where I help women design an authentic life that gives them joy and fulfillment while they share their gifts with the world. My biggest desire is to inspire them to lead a life that is not happenstance, but one that is purposefully designed.  

When people hear my story, I'm often asked if I miss being a judge. I can truthfully respond that I don’t. Everything I loved about practicing law and being a judge, has given me skills that I use in my business every day – speaking, listening and writing. And, just like I loved being a trial lawyer and I loved being a judge, I absolutely love speaking and coaching. I've found my second chapter to be just as sweet as the first.
Lessons Learned on My Journey:

Dreams do come true.
It’s never too late to dream a new dream.
Give yourself permission to set new dreams and goals.
Living a joy-filled and fulfilled life matters.
Everything you go through prepares you for the next season of life.
God desires that you live the life you were created to live. 

Joyce Averil is a life design and business coach and you can visit her at 
https://www.facebook.com/FabulousYouAcademyByJoyceAverils and http://fabulousyouacademy.com/

How I Did It Stories are part of  FINDING YOUR FIRE the site where those who want to make their passion happen learn how.

Success...at Any Age and Any Stage

Today's How I Did It Story is from Carol Doyel who shares her definition of success and her amazing journey of self -discovery and business sense as she set out to be an entrpreneur at a very early age and realized what she was really created to do decades later.

I seemed to be born with the desire to own my own business and make my own money. I think it stemmed from not having a lot of money when I was growing up. My father was injured when I was young and went through occupational therapy but never really worked much after his accident. Eventually he lost his drive and self esteem, which I found to be very sad but I think it gave me a strong determination to make my own way.

I was always looking for ways to earn money, which started out when I was very young by asking neighbors if they had odd jobs for me to do. Many well intentioned elderly neighbors offered me the opportunity to help with cleaning, outdoor chores, taking out the garbage…anything to support a young industrious girl.

As I got a little older I decided to branch out, so I started a lawn mowing business. Actually a girl friend and I circled the neighborhood and managed to round up people who needed their lawns mowed. My grandfather invested in me by buying me a brand new lawnmower. There were days I worked so hard I would pass out at the dinner table, once right in my food!

Then it was on to my first real job which I managed to get by begging the manager to hire me so I would stop bothering him. I was hired to clean beans for $1.40 an hour for a Mexican restaurant. It turned into a job that I stayed with for nearly three years and was a good start to developing a work ethic and a basic understanding of business.

I’ve always enjoyed working and love a challenge.

 Over the years I’ve done many things, from bookkeeping that turned into an opportunity to sell cars,selling advertising, buying a deli at twenty-one, inventing and filing a patent for an infant seat for shopping carts before they existed in the United States, raising capital for a start-up, and eventually onto the corporate world where I worked 15 years for a large health care organization. There were a lot of benefits of working for a large company, including ongoing training. But after a while I felt I became too dependent on my job so I decided it was time for a change, I really wanted to do something that I felt more passionate about so I went back to school for three years.

 After graduating from Full Gospel Bible Institute I began doing volunteer work in women’s ministry with a day job as a real estate broker. It was during my time as a real estate broker and working on a website project that I decided to launch, LivingBetter50.com, an online woman’s magazine.

After all of these years, I can now see how my skills, jobs, experience, and passions have come together like a jigsaw puzzle. As the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of LivingBetter50.com, “For Women with Spirit”, I’m doing something I’m passion about and that seems to be perfectly suited for me.

I’ve come to realize that when we get to the point of our life that we decide to do what we love to do, as a book I read years ago titled, “Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood” by Marsha Sinetar, that we often discover what we were created to do. For me that didn’t happen until after I turned 50. I believe that’s true for a lot of women and one of the reasons I launched LivingBetterat50+; with a vision “to encourage women to live better physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually”.

As an entrepreneur, it’s been a process of self-discovery and recognizing my strengths and gifts. It also requires a leap of faith and knowing when to close one door so another one can open. And it usually involves risk, including a monetary risk. But more than the financial risk, the very thing you want in life will require you to put it on all on the line; your reputation, your ego, your time and resources to go after what you’re really passion about with everything in you!

There can be a lot of fear involved with change and risk, more for some than others. Luckily I’ve always loved change and I’m not afraid of trying new things. I’ve been described as a “non-conformist”. I like to do things my way, which is typically different than my family and friends. To be an entrepreneur you have to be willing to go against the tide, often withstanding ridicule, usually from close friends and family members. I have found that women like myself who have a positive outlook and are also pursuing their dreams and aiming high, are the most supportive. As many have said, success can be a lonely place. Not that I’m a super star but I see myself as someone who has enjoyed a certain amount of success given all that I’ve enjoyed, experienced and done. And I’ve made a good living doing it.

If you have the guts and drive to be an entrepreneur and you’re willing to work hard, doing what you love to do, to me that’s the definition of success!

Carol Doyel is Founder and Editor-in-Chief of LivingBetter50.com  An entrepreneur at heart, Carol loves trying new things and reinventing herself. Having done everything from working for a large Seattle based company that developed & marketed health promotion programs nationally-to-women’s ministry. The culmination of her gifts and life experience lead to launching the online magazine LivingBetter50.com “For Women with Spirit”, that she feels brings something fresh and different to the online woman’s magazine world.

A MAN...AND HIS MISSION

Ray Haakonsen grew up in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe and spent his early years recognized for his athleticism going on to play Rugby at a national level. He was a decorated bush pilot and seemed to have everything going for him but things changed for Ray when a change in government forced him to move to another country and being a job in sales with colleagues 10 or more years younger than Ray. He shares his HOW I DID IT story today, reminding us, God has a direction for all of us, even when we are cemented in a rut.

In March 1984, caught in a rapidly declining spiral, I divorced my wife Sue, resigned from my job and left home and 2 children aged 6 and 3, behind.

Six months of soul-searching and loss of confidence followed, resulting in an attempted suicide, and a radical encounter with God. A simple whisper in my ear, "Get right with me and go back to your wife" set in motion a new purpose and vision which continues to this day.

In November 1984 my wife and I reconciled and remarried. Just three years later we stepped out together "in faith" with a radical calling to missions and serving others. I served in Youth With A Mission (YWAM), mainly in leadership roles, with a purpose of improving others personal situations, largely through teaching and discipleship. Living by faith I had the privilege of sharing God's word in 16 countries.

In 1999, whilst serving as the National Director of YWAM in the small country of Lesotho, my wife challenged me with a vision to reach out to serve vulnerable children caught in the throes of poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic which was devastating Lesotho. In our resulting research , we found seven abandoned babies in the local hospital who weren't being cared for. With five babies being HIV positive,the staff concluded they would probably die anyway.

But that challenge continued to obsess in my soul and in June 2010 with the permission of Social Welfare, we began in a small three room house with five beds, seven babies under seven months old and no known financial backing or resources. This small step of obedience led to us establishing a care center for vulnerable children called Beautiful Gate Lesotho

Ten years later over 350 babies (many HIV positive) had come through our gates, 170 of them were adopted into 'forever families' in eight different countries, over 100 returned to family and sadly we buried 33 who had succumbed to HIV/AIDS related illnesses. At the same time we grew from a staff of four volunteers to over 40 full time paid staff as well as additional volunteers. A $2 million care center was also established with baby houses, clinic, chapel, pre-school, living quarters for staff and volunteers, offices, workshops and a garage. A project (Beautiful Gardens) to help sustain the ministry was also initiated. Special attention was given to provide a pleasant, excellent and caring environment for children and staff to enjoy. Hundreds of people world-wide partnered with us to establish and sustain the center. Lives of those previously not exposed to the immense destruction of HIV/AIDS became involved in caring for these vulnerable and special children through giving, praying and volunteering.

After 10 years of establishing Beautiful Gate Lesotho, we handed it over and moved to Cape Town South Africa. The ministry continues to thrive. Once again, at age 57, I have embarked on a new life adventure through writing and speaking.

I currently use my website http://rayhaakonsen.com (Maximised Living) to blog and develop a "tribe".My first book, "An Arrested Heart" http://rayhaakonsen.com/?page_id=92 was published in June 2010.

In this new season I'm motivated to Encourage, Provoke, Inspire and Challenge, supporting others to live, driven by their passions.

Lessons I have learned along the way:

• Discovery of Gifts and talent and maximizing them is key.
• Passion carries
• Start with what's in your hand.
• Belief in a vision perseveres through trying times and doubt-sayers.
• Courage is required, but rewarded
• Being intentional about hard work and excellence pay off.
• People are more important than projects
• Dreams and action are both necessary to do anything extraordinary
• Lean on The One who knows all things
• Ordinary people can do extraordinary things in His name.

Ray has been happily married for 35 years and has 3 married biological children, 2 adopted daughters (12 and 9) and 3 grandchildren. You can learn more about Ray and talk with him directly at the links below.

email: rayhaakonsen@gmail.com

Facebook : www.facebook.com/ray.haakonsen

Twitter: @rayhaak 

JUST RISE ABOVE

Today's How I Did It story comes courtesy of the Ralph Braun Foundation. Ralph has inspired and open doors for the handicapped because he never let his own disability be an obstacle for what he wanted to do in life.

http://braunability.com

Fifty years ago, Ralph Braun was a young man in a wheelchair who needed a way to get to work. Today the world knows him as the founder and CEO of The Braun Corporation – the leading manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and lifts in the industry. What he’s accomplished in the last five decades has changed the lives of thousands of individuals across the world.

In 1947, Ralph was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at just six years of age. Ralph credits his parents with instilling in him the will to overcome the challenges his disability presented him – as well as any other obstacles life put in his path. When he could no longer rely on his own two legs and he’d outgrown piggyback rides from his dad, he began using a wheelchair. While he didn’t welcome the mobility aid, the 13-year-old never let it slow him down. Ralph wanted an education, a career and a family, just like anyone else; he just had to work a little harder at it.

First, he invented a motorized scooter, the Tri-Wheeler, so he could conserve energy and keep his job as a Quality Control Inspector at a nearby factory. As his mobility increased, so did the attention from the disabled community. What started as a part-time business filling orders for Tri-Wheelers from his parents’ garage evolved into Save-A-Step Manufacturing.

This is the internationally recognized symbol for accessibility (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When the factory where Ralph worked moved a few miles from his home, he outfitted an old postal Jeep with hand controls and a hydraulic lift so he could have reliable transportation to and from work no matter the weather. Just a few years later when Dodge introduced the first full-sized, front-engine van, he devised a way to install a wheelchair lift that would revolutionize the mobility industry. For the first time, individuals with disabilities had a way to get out and into the world.

For much of the 70s and 80s, Braun’s product line was built on the wheelchair lift. Not only did this product revolutionize consumer mobility, but it forever changed public transportation as well. Finally buses and vans could be outfitted with wheelchair lifts to allow universal public transportation from city and state governments. Most importantly, children across the country were offered accessible transportation to and from school – a benefit that didn’t seem possible when Ralph was a young man encountering multiple roadblocks to his own public education. The commercial lift industry, as well as the paratransit business, continues to thrive in the domestic and international markets.

By the time the lowered floor minivan was introduced in the late 1980s, Americans were experiencing a level of mobility that had never before existed. Other manufacturers offered mobility products, but what set The Braun Corporation apart was Ralph’s focus on providing mobility solutions to meet the individual needs of each customer. That’s why he created a network of dealers across the country to evaluate an individual’s needs and circumstances and find the best mobility option for him or her.

This year, marks the 40th anniversary of The Braun Corporation. Ralph has set an admirable example for his employees, his community and all those who have or care for someone with a physical disability. The world is a better place because of his ambition and innovation. 

Ralph has written about about his life entitled Rise Above available HERE.

What experience or obstacle has been or could be instrumental in helping you rise above your current circumstances?

Related articles

• BraunAbility CEO Honored with Veteran Support Award

IS IT TIME TO JUMP?

Have you ever wanted to change your career?  Have you ever been so tired of more of the same that you just wanted to stop and do something, anything, different than just repeat the same old behavior?  Sheri Barnes was gainfully employed in an incredible career, which allowed her to live the life of her dreams until the walls came tumbling down and she grew tired of rebuilding her glass castle. That’s when Sheri stopped allowing “more of the same” to run her life, and decided she needed to control where, how and why she would “jump” out of a different plane!

In the fall of 2011, after just returning from an incredible two week European tour with her partner, Sheri  was on Cloud 9. She had also just purchased her dream sports car. Everything seemed to be coming together for Sheri who worked in the fields of Advertising and Marketing, but three days after she purchased her sports car, Sheri’s job was slashed.

Sheri was no stranger to lay-offs. Having been laid off three times in nine years, she well knew in a poor economy, Marketing and Advertising positions are among the most expendable. She recognized the processes she would have to undertake to look for another job. She was no stranger to the emotions she would feel and was well aware of needing to take care of her mental health and so much more, but this time it was different. This layoff was the turning point. the defining moment, the final straw.

After meeting with HR the day of her layoff, Sheri went home and sat on her bedroom floor and told herself the words, many of us say at one point or another, “ I don’t want to do this anymore.” Only, this time Sheri meant what she was feeling. In the middle of that floor Sheri decided to finally end the cycle of “more of the same” and begin a new career. It was bold. It was unpredictable and it was a bit scary. But it was also necessary and invigorating.

Sheri’s other passion in life had always been being fit and healthy. She had been a personal trainer for the previous four years “on the side” and was respected as someone people came to for fitness advice. The one question she heard more than anything else was “How do I find time to work out?” So she decided she wanted to provide public presentations to corporations, business and schools, speaking about how important it is to be healthy and fit and how to find the time to do that.

Just deciding was not a piece of cake. Sheri likens her journey to being a bit like skydiving for the first time.She was ready to take the plunge, but scared, cautious, excited as all kinds of “what if’s” went through her mind. She was about to jump when that one question most entrepreneurs face loomed large, “Am I crazy for even trying this?”

Sheri knew she had to either decide to move ahead or leave her dreams behind but being a risktaker, Sheri, “jumped” out of her proverbial plane. Yes, it was a bit scary falling through the clouds but she felt determined and exhilarated as well.

Sheri knew in order to be a trusted speaker about health and fitness, she had to establish her credibility to build trust. One way she knew how to demonstrate her expertise to others was to write a book about health and fitness.

But, just writing the book was not the key that opened every door. Sheri often wondered if anyone would care about what she had to say. She continued her free fall, recognizing much like a true sky diver, she might end up somewhere she hadn’t exactly planned. Like a sudden unexpected wind that veers a skydiver off course, the obstacles appeared, but Sheri, determined to reach her destination, trusted she would pull her ripcord at just the right time, so she pushed through the roadblocks and gradually the fear started to subside and she could sense the progress she was making.

She had to take a leap of faith and not only complete her book but seek endorsements. Likening waiting for a response to seeing the ground coming at her and hoping a positive response would rise up and be her safety net, she was figuratively wondering if she would land on her feet.

There is no more an uncomfortable feeling than wondering what impact hitting the ground will have, but Sheri not only landed well but hit the ground running as she received an absolutely amazing endorsement from the President of the American Council on Exercise.

The parachute opened, she landed well and she is off on another amazing mission.

Sheri Barnes is now a fitness expert and the published author of MAMA KNOW FITNESS: Bells, Balance & Your Body. 

Her advice to others who find themselves like she did that day, sitting on the floor, sure they no longer can go through the experience they have faced time and time again, longing for a different direction and destination is simple: Take That Jump! Get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Believe in yourself, because surviving freefall is the most amazing and rewarding experience you will ever know.


What do you need to do to take the “jump” and leave your comfort zone?
Have you taken a free fall and discovered you have what it takes to land on your feet?

©2012 by Sheri Barnes
MAMA KNOWS FITNESS: Bells, Balance & Your Body
RELEASED December 12,2012
www.mamaknowsfitness.com / mama@mamaknowsfitness.com

SO LONG SOMEDAY

English: KISS playing at Sauna Open Air 2010, during their Sonic Boom Over Europe Tour. Location Tampere, Finland (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Brian Perry is a musician, song writer, motivational speaker and life long believer in saying, "yes" to now instead of "someday"and here's why...




SO LONG SOMEDAY…

When Kathy Brunner was kind enough to ask me to contribute here, she told me that her blog was about people who are living their passions sharing how they got there. I find that a challenging and interesting question because, though I feel deeply passionate about the things I've been honored to do, I feel far from arriving – at least not where I thought I’d be.

I find myself saying “Yes” a lot these days and “Thank You.” I guess I should explain. Late last summer, I got a call from one of my oldest friends in the world asking if I would be interested in helping a company called Sixthman out on their “KISS Kruise.”

Is that some sort of romantic cruise, I asked?
“No, no. The rock band KISS!” he responded.
“Oh…um, yes and thank you!”

Let’s back up a little further. Before this phone call I was in one of those “without a paddle kind of times.” The ones when you’re pretty sure you've found the bottom until it drops just a bit further. It had been a couple of years of personal troubles that became financial that became professional that became spiritual that became personal…err, well maybe that wasn't the exact order but you know the kind of time I’m talking about, right?

Wait. I’m sorry to keep doing this, but let me back up again. I've had the honor of spending most of my adult life touring the United States and serving as a singer/songwriter, motivational speaker, coach, and leadership instructor. I was in rock clubs and theaters, then helping train conference staffs at a burn camp or YMCA, and then I would help design and implement international leadership conferences sometimes all in the same week. All the while returning home in between tours to the magnificent, soulful nation of New Orleans. My life didn't suck, except for the parts that kind of did which led to a couple of huge storms in my world. One was personal and I’ll save and the other was Katrina and, well, that hardly needs any explanation.

So the storms hit with their requisite howling wind, drowning waters, and obliterating fury. Funny thing about obliteration though, it has a way of turning into your favorite gift. It has a way of making way for the best of times.

So let’s make like Michael J. Fox and get back to the future: the KISS Kruise. I said “yes” and “thank you” to this seemingly radical departure from my “regular” life and immediately and profoundly found myself welcomed into the family that calls itself Sixthman. No kidding, companies talk a big game about “family” but  Sixthman is one of the most extraordinary families of passionate folks you’re likely to find anywhere. Fast forward and 6 more cruises, a ski trip, and a fair amount of Cabo Wabo Tequila later I found myself saying “yes” and “thank you” to my friend and colleague Anthony Diaz who offered me the opportunity to formally count myself among this remarkable troop.

Now I find myself waking up in a strange city 500 miles from New Orleans, no tour bus, no Grammys on the shelf (yet) but excited to go to work with people I love at a place that regularly challenges me to keep singing and speaking and touring. A people and a place that doesn't want me to bring anything less than who I am. Go figure.


I’m not going to lie about it. I have found this whole process of (at least for now) trading a touring van for a 401K to be very confusing and a tremendous test of faith. What I’m learning over and again though is that every day, every hour really, brings some kind of opportunity to share the passion that was behind the things I was doing before. You see, it turns out that it really isn’t about what I DO at all but rather it is about who I BE in whatever I’m doing. I can be passion, I can strive to be a light and a loving presence no matter what I’m doing. No matter where I am. Does that make sense?

Now, as any self-respecting speaker would, allow me to sum up a bit more of what I’ve learned or rather what I know for sure.

1. I do not know the Plan
2. I do not know what sh@# means (trouble comes when I think I do)
3. All is well. (Always)

In a nutshell, what I've concluded, as I find myself extremely happy living a life I would never have thought I would be, that my job in living my life is to be really clear with (insert whatever you Believe in here) about what I want my life to FEEL like, what passion feels like to me. Then I must TRUST because what it LOOKS like is not my job.

Finally, I encourage you to get really, really used to saying “yes’ and “thank- you”.

My life is now, not someday. Now. Am I happy about that? "Yes." "Thank you."
SO LONG SOMEDAY

At Sixthman our slogan is LIVE LOUD. So I’ll leave you with that: LIVE LOUD.  No, seriously: LIVE.

Is it time for you to start saying “yes” to things you never dreamed of or imagined?
Is it time to start saying "so long" to your someday and start living today?


For more information check out brianperry.com, Brian Perry fan page on Facebook, and @yesbrianperry on Twitter. Or just drop me a line at yesbrianperry@gmail.com.

When The Sharks Are Just Below

(Jen McDonough is an amazing woman who not only overcame her fear but changed the direction of her life when she realized her own strengths.She is the author of LIVING BEYOND AWESOME...and knows she won't drown in water or debt anymore!)

So what does one do when they want something so badly, yet the task at hand seems IMPOSSIBLE?

I learned many lessons about perseverance in life but completing an Iron man event was one experience which taught me I could do something I thought was impossible by scaling my "mountain" in small steps.

The Iron man triathlon I would participate in included a 2.4 mile swim,112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run.For some it might have looked relatively simple, but I didn't even know how to swim. Truthfully,I had an enormous fear of the water. I have been told when I attempt to swim, I look like I am trying desperately not to drown! So, the first step included swimming lessons.
 The second step was to learn to use positive, confidence building inner and outer language, even on the days I struggled. You can't expect to succeed in anything when you are permitting yourself to be bombarded with negativism either from others or that little voice within you that shouts out failure every time you make a mistake. 

Next,I was determined to stick with every workout no matter how impossible the thought of swimming 2.4 miles was for me(up until race day, the farthest I had ever swam was 1.2 miles!).


Yet,whenever the race day did arrive, all my confidence went out the window as I stared out at the giant waves in the Gulf of Mexico. I started hyperventilating BEFORE the race even started! It did not look exhilarating;it looked terrifying.

Seconds before the race began,I started to shake my head "no" as I stared at the countdown clock,"Ten,nine,eight...". It was as if I was trying to stop time.The start gun went off and a massive tidal wave of bodies moved towards the water, but I didn't. 

There I was after training relentlessly for a year both mentally and physically frozen with panic unable to even get into the water.

As the last of more than two thousand swimmers shuffled past me in the soft sand, I willingly forced myself into the water.I had never been so scared in my life as I waded out over my head. My fears encompassed me as I wondered not just if I would be able to go the distance but if I really would not drown or worse, be eaten by sharks. 


I could barely breathe initially trying desperately not to panic as I moved stroke after stroke though the swells were large enough to hide the five foot buoys from my sight.I kept thinking of the sharks milling beneath me just waiting for dinner.With each motion forward I recalled the entire year of my life I trained for this moment. Yes, I was terrified but I also realized I had given so much time and energy to this,it would be unfortunate to let myself down.
When I sighted land, I went from "wanting" to do something extraordinary, to realizing I was"doing" something extraordinary and feelings of joy replaced my terror as I realized I was fulfilling my dream. My breathing and strokes no longer felt awkward and difficult but as natural as though I had been a swimmer all my life.

When I reached the final strokes on the swim, I couldn’t help but feel that God was smiling down at me, assisting me physically and emotionally in an experience I only once imagined I might do. More hurdles came my way, but I did finish Iron man, which was one of the most incredible experiences I have had!  


The impossible DID become possible that day because of faith, perseverance,developing a step by step action plan and finally putting my feet in the water and breaking through my fears to face my victory.

Any goal worth pursuing requires small tenacious steps and even with significant training and planning will seem initially terrifying or at least daunting when you first begin.Sometimes there will be additional obstacles and you might want to not try or turn back. DON'T!

Go for it, because I know sitting on the sidelines wishing you could do something causes far more pain than finally taking that plunge.Never live with the regret for not having tried. Regrets leave an ugly taste in your mouth forever.Going after even one seemingly impossible goal can make you stronger for every other mountain you face.

Does the thought of putting your feet in the water and taking a risk at something unfamiliar and scary make you anxious and fearful as well? 

Jen McDonough enjoys sharing stories of hope and inspiration through her books, speaking engagements, podcasts, and her blog (http://www.livebeyondawesome.com) and (http://www.fieldofdebt.com/blog/) Jen lives in Lindstrom, MN with her four awesome kids, two spirited dogs, one handsome husband, and her ugly mortgage. Connect with Jen through Twitter (@TheJenMcDonough), Facebook (Live Beyond Awesome), or on her website