Navigating Life's Challenges with The Power of Perspective

Living an inspired life is no accident—it's a conscious choice.

Do you agree?

This choice, however, is NOT always easy. In fact, it can feel nearly impossible.

The challenges that you have experienced may feel like they will overtake you. Maybe you feel like you're living in a fog, simply moving forward, one step in front of the other, trying to avoid an entire system collapse.

Imagine looking down at your life from a higher perspective. This might sound a bit strange, but imagine yourself literally floating out of your body, moving toward the ceiling or sky, and looking down at yourself reading this message.

Life can be incredibly challenging and sometimes it feels like there's no way out.

I can't change your circumstances, but what I can do is open the door for you to embrace the power of perspective. It's a tool I believe is essential for finding inner peace amidst life's storms. Make no mistake, my friend, challenges will come. Will you be ready?

(Listen above to the podcast, where I share 2 stories that had a profound impact on my life.)

Even though challenges will always be present, the tools and knowledge we gain empower us to navigate them. For me, I have been learning lately that I CANNOT neglect the healing practices that helped me get to a place of peace and calm that allows me to write to you, coach you, and help you. If I don't meditate and pray, read scripture, journal, exercise, and eat a healthy diet, I will fall apart. But here is the insidious part...The falling apart happens so slowly that it is almost imperceptible. Until it's happening. (I speak from profoundly humble experience.) First, I will be shorter with loved ones. Then, I start having dark and depressive thoughts. Then I wonder why I am still breathing... It's part of a cycle that doesn't have to occur.

“Nothing will work unless you do.”

—Maya Angelou

We will dive into this a bit more next week. Your rituals and routines matter. They shape who you are and how you show up in the world.

It's been my journey, and I hope it becomes yours too.

I heard Tony Robbins say, "Life is happening for you, not to you"—isn't that a powerful perspective? (And one that is NOT easy to swallow at times.)

Instead of adopting a mentality of being the target of hardship, what if we truly believed that life is happening for us, even during the most challenging times? Remember when you floated up our of your body and looked down at yourself?

As I was writing this and floating out of my own body, I began to think about a moment in my hospice nursing career. I was faced with a distressed patient(listen to this story here or click at the top of this page, it's about 6 minutes into the episode), and as I worked to bring comfort, I realized the profound impact of being present in this moment. The coexistence of beauty and difficulty was evident, and I know that all of my life experiences had led to this. My own grief journey, my experience of yoga and meditation, my nurse training, and even my experiences with domestic violence. It all came together here.

I couldn't have made this realization until I looked back.(Or down, if I'm floating up and out.)

This concept is one that was taken from my coaching program. During this, I ask my clients to write down some of the challenging experiences they've overcome.

You can do this too. Not later, but just for even 1 minute now. If you can't write, just think.

Don't say "I'll come back later and do this. "Just take 60 seconds now. It's valuable enough to use your time for this.

Acknowledge how far you've come and recognize the journey. Life is a journey, and every challenge serves a purpose.

I can't promise to eliminate all the hardships in your life, and I won't ask you to put on a fake positive front. Challenges are tough, and some have no explanation.

As you reflect on your challenges, remember: courage doesn't mean you're not afraid. It means you act anyway, facing your fears and moving forward in spite of them. You are strong, capable, and unique. I'm proud of your decision to explore a different path, seeking positivity and growth in the face of life's challenges.

You matter, my dear. Your life is not an accident.

Lots of love and unwavering belief in you,

Rachel