It’s funny because I didn’t used to like California that much at all–there are so many beaches and people wearing bathing suits! I never really felt like I fit in because I felt uncomfortable sporting the beach attire. I couldn’t relax long enough to think about anything other than how much I couldn’t wait to leave. So in recent years, it’s been fun for me to feel the difference as I’ve grown into accepting who I am and making friends with myself and my body. 

During my most recent trip to Huntington Beach, I reflected on all the changes I’ve experienced lately– or growth spurts, if you will.  You might remember, as I do, having growth spurts as a child and growing pains along with them. Well, growing pains also happen in emotional growth.

As I’ve been getting really clear on what it is that I’m passionate about, I’ve also gotten clear on what my message or calling is. It feels scary to enter into this new level, truly being intentional and actually declaring what it is that I want to do. I’ve had great experiences and breakthroughs, and at the same time, there have been times that have triggered my fear response system quite intensely. One moment, I’ll be feeling really good, and then something simple will happen that will cause me to crash and burn–like all the new and not-yet-strong neural pathways break down for a moment, letting my old beliefs force their way through.

This happened just recently, which brings me to my point today.

First of all, I must say that I’m happy to be able to recognize that it’s normal to have this kind of thing happen.  Pain is part of progress–in both physical and emotional growth. The pain I experience as I lean into the fear helps me to make the necessary adjustments in my attitudes and beliefs that will put me on the right track. 

One thing I do when I’m experiencing the pain of growth is what I like to call a VOICE check, or Vocalise. If you have ever taken voice lessons, you are familiar with vocal exercises called vocalises that strengthen your voice and help it be clear and ready to sing. In my VOICE check or Vocalise, I do a quick run-through of the Five Steps to Finding Your VOICE:

V- Value: How do I feel about myself right now? Do I remember what value I uniquely bring to humanity? Am I having any thoughts that might be off or might be back to my old limiting beliefs?

O- Openness: Am I open? Is my body open? Is my mind open? Am I open to following the advice of a coach or someone I look up to?

I- Intentional Action: What is my intention? Am I willing to do what it takes, even if it’s outside of my comfort zone? 

C- Clearing:  Is my mind clear? Is my emotional space clear? Is my physical space free from clutter?

E- Expression:  Am I behaving as or BEING the person that I know I really am?

Try it!  Doing a regular VOICE check can help keep you on track to connecting to – and becoming – your true self! 

The post Growing Pains first appeared on Cary MacArthur.

The post Growing Pains appeared first on Cary MacArthur.

Does anyone else ask this question: “WHO AM I TO BE…? I mean, SHE is gorgeous and extremely talented.  How could I ever fit into a group of such fabulous people?” I wish I could say I was completely past all of this type of thinking…truth is, that negative voice still exists in my mind. I have shared that dancing and wearing lipstick have moved me to a place where I can actually see beauty in myself, and still that snide “yeah, right…” remark is much stronger than I would like it to be… on many days, I still struggle with my selfie-confidence.

I am so inspired by the answer Marianne Williamson gives after she asks the question, “Who am I to be … gorgeous…?”

“Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.” 

I believe this statement so much that it brings me to tears! I want more than anything for the belief to outshine the doubt, so the journey continues. To help me strengthen my belief, my coach, David TS Wood, came up with the “selfie challenge” as my next step. ‘Take a selfie every day for 30 days (or more, depending on the level of “selfie-confidence” at that time) and send it to me. No filter. Just you, falling madly in love with the camera and with yourself.”

I hate this challenge…which is why I know I must do it.

The thing I notice about the times when the insecurity becomes louder than my shaky new level of self-confidence is that it becomes the weakest when I begin to feel that “power beyond measure” rising up from within myself.

“Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

So how do I become liberated from my own fear?  Following my own “Five Fundamental Steps to Finding My Voice” has moved me further than anything else I have done:

V-finding Value in myself
O-being Open to learning and trying new things
I-setting an Intention to move forward and then acting on that intention
C–Clearing false beliefs and fears out of my subconsciousness by replacing them with new awareness
E-reinforce my new beliefs by Expressing them every day

All of these steps have been vital to owning and manifesting the power of God within me. Learning to Value who I am and having courage to Express myself with an audible voice are foundational cornerstones to the process. The keystone, however–the piece that fuels the fire and holds everything together is Acting with Intention! Accepting and being 100% committed to all of these silly challenges that I have been given are helping me to step out of fear and into greatness, and that is why I keep going.

SO! Back to the selfie challenge…some days it seems easy; other days I want to throw my phone across the room. Coach Wood says that’s sign that I’m getting closer and that I still have a ways to go. So, I will keep going.

It would be so much more fun, however, if others would join me!! Is anyone up for a selfie challenge? We could post them on my Facebook page– #selfieconfidence and #selfiechallenge. 

What if we all start showing up with with greater confidence?  Imagine the difference we could make!  

The post Challenge: Creating Selfie-Confidence first appeared on Cary MacArthur.

The post Challenge: Creating Selfie-Confidence appeared first on Cary MacArthur.