New Year. Same Place??

Every December I conduct a personal assessment. It takes me about one minute to complete. I simply ask myself one question. “Am I in the same place (mentally, spiritually, physically, etc.) as last year?” For years, I believed I received the same answer. YES! By my own perception, I was not making any significant strides towards where I really wanted to be in my life. There were so many things I wanted to do! And they still seemed undone! I saw a totally different person when I closed my eyes and envisioned myself than what appeared on the outside. “I will not be in this place next year!”, I would vow to myself every December 31. I would make my plans, resolutions, and lists, but yet another year would go by and what I deemed to be the “real me” was still locked on the “inside”. Or so it appeared…

Last month, I conducted my assessment. It took me about one minute to complete. I simply asked myself one question. “Am I in the same place as last year?” This time, the answer was NO! What happened? By my own perception, I grew. In 2009, I faced more fears “head on” than ever. I put into practice the wisdom from all those books I had read throughout the years. I remembered more that I am not my ego (that part of you that believes it is separate from God). I challenged my thinking more. I made meditation and time with God an even greater priority. I surrounded myself with like-minded people. I allowed in more miracles by staying in the “now”. I followed my inner guidance. I laughed more. I trusted the process. And I also recognized more of my own faults, shortcomings and self-imposed limitations. All of this resulted in more of the “real me” coming through.

But what a good friend helped me to realize is that the process was taking place even in those years when I did not perceive any growth with my physical eyes. Years ago, I had asked God to help me find my purpose. This request activated a process of being open and willing to be taught, which is key. Though many twists, turns, ups and downs, and perceived setbacks challenged the fact that I was really on the right path, the truth is that I was exactly where I belonged and learning the lessons that would prepare me for my future! I was on course for destiny to manifest itself under grace, divinely timed, and in perfect ways.

The Bible states that “for everything there is a season”. Those years of perceived “stunted growth” were really a time of sowing. When I look back, I remember all the books I read on HOW to face fear, how many teachers poured wisdom into me and taught me about meditation, the skills I unexpectedly acquired, all the “study sessions” learning about miracles, prophesies given via chance encounters, dreams that helped me challenge my thinking, etc. Those days and encounters served as a preparation period for what was to come in a different season. If I had not experienced a time of sowing “seeds”, there would be no harvest time.

So what really happened in 2009 for me was a growth spurt. The seeds that were planted years ago began to come up. I realize now that every relationship, situation, challenge, etc. that I faced was a gift; an invitation to learn more about who I really am and who I really AM NOT. And these important occurrences had to take place to transform the spirit before the physical manifestation could come to pass. In other words, the real work was happening all the time; even if I could not perceive it with my body’s eyes.

If you are reading this post, it is not by accident. YOU have come much further than you think. Do not gage your growth with your physical eyes. You will be mistaken! You have grown tremendously in spirit. IF in fact, you have asked God to help you, you have activated something very powerful. Now, begin to trust the process and listen for guidance. Don’t get me wrong…prepare to the best of your ability and act when you are directed to act, but do not judge your progress with your physical senses or compare yourself with others. There is no competition. Stop beating yourself up. You are right on time.

I’ll bet if you look a little bit closer, you’ll see signs of progress. Maybe your attitude is just a little different. Maybe instead of blowing up at your spouse every day, it’s every OTHER day! Maybe you didn’t “slap the taste out of the mouth” of the rude clerk at the grocery store like you would have LAST YEAR. Or maybe you just paused for one moment to appreciate the sunset when it had previously gone unnoticed. Look closer. Trust the process. Trust God.

I am looking forward to 2010 and tackling those areas where I see strongholds and/or fears in my life. Even as you read this, another fear is being overcome. This year, it is my intention to write more AND give others the opportunity to promote their writings/books using this platform. With every story of hope, encouragement, or inspiration posted, it is my prayer that we all Become Light!

And this year, in December, I’ll conduct a little assessment. It will take me about one minute to complete. I’ll ask myself, “Am I in the same place I was last year?” But this time, I already know what my answer will be: “I’m exactly where I belong. Thank you God.”

Light After a Layoff

About five years ago, I quit my corporate job. Yep. One day, I walked in and handed my boss my letter of resignation. I had just bought a house; just bought a car, and DID NOT have any money saved in bank. In fact, I had no plan. So what in the WORLD was I doing?? I was obediently listening to my inner guidance and stepping out on faith. Some people may not look at that scenario as a lay-off, but it sure felt like one to me, and minus the severance package. (Some of you with a severance package are actually ahead of the game!) It has been a challenging walk of faith. I won’t even begin to say it has been easy. But now, five years later, I can truly say it has been worth every step.

I know you have received a lot of great “practical” tips on coping with your lay-off. In addition to this great information, I would like to offer you some spiritual encouragement while you transition to the next level of greatness destined for you. It is my hope that you will be blessed, encouraged, and empowered.

Here are just a few “lessons” I learned along the way:

1. A JOB IS NOT MY SOURCE
I understood this point from an intellectual perspective when I had a job. But, when I no longer had a job and it was time to really STAND on this fact, it took on new meaning for me. I had to learn this spiritually. Most of us have been conditioned to believe that our job is the “end all be all”. Guess what? I shattered that myth and fortunately, you will too! I learned that God has infinite ways to bring resources, money, and opportunities to me. I simply needed to be open and ready to receive.

2. I AM POWERFUL
Initially, I felt worthless without a job. This is something I had to deal with that surprised me the most about myself. I didn’t realize how much I identified with a “title” or “company” until I didn’t have a business card to give out anymore. But what I learned by dealing with this is that my real worth is always rooted in the fact that I am a child of God. And that makes me powerful and worthy whether I work for a company or not. Only God can give me a sense of self worth that continues to grow stronger with each passing day.

3. THERE IS A PLAN & PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE
Leaving the confines of a traditional job was the best thing that could have happened to me. I found my purpose and my calling. I was afforded the freedom to explore many other areas that were previously out of my reach. For me, this could have never come to pass were I still employed.

4. GOD ONLY REVEALS ONE STEP AT A TIME
This was a hard lesson!!!! I had to stop thinking that I should “know everything”! I learned that thinking I “already know” what’s going to happen actually CUTS ME OFF from the real source of knowledge which is God. The faster this lesson is learned, the better. I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out what was going to happen next. After much anxiety, sleepless nights, etc., I gradually learned to take one step at a time and follow the instructions for the day. That’s when things started falling into place. When we rely on our own power, we have cause to be anxious, because (in and of ourselves) we do not know anything. And thank God we don’t have to; for herein lies the blessing. The channels open for new opportunities to come our way.

5. DETOX IS GOOD
I had to let go of negative people, influences, TV shows, music, etc. I learned that negative people and influences were toxic to my progress. It became CRITICAL to surround myself with positive people who could encourage me; to read books that inspired me, to go places that uplifted me, and to laugh heartily. Stay focused on where you want to be and let the detox begin!

6. SERVE, SERVE, SERVE!
The minute I started feeling sorry for myself, I learned to take the focus off of me and put it on something or someone else. I learned that serving others was the BEST thing I could do. Oftentimes, the best ideas and instructions for the journey are revealed while being a blessing to someone else.

7. THE INNER VOICE IS NEVER WRONG. LISTEN.
This was one of the most challenging lessons, but the most important. I had to learn to quiet my mind to receive the instructions for what to do next. It is a waste of time to react out of fear to the situation. I learned that sometimes I could be given one simple step to do for the day. I had to resist the urge to perform100 tasks in one day to (make my ego) feel “productive”; running around like a chicken…frantic. Listening to the inner guidance saves time. For example, your inner guidance may tell you to make ONE phone call that day and spend the rest of the time playing with your kids. RESIST the urge to call this “lazy” and “unproductive”. You have been conditioned to believe that incessant “doing” is commendable. But this is the cause of much angst, sickness, chaos, ADD, ADHD, and C.R.A.Z.Y. I’m not saying not to do something, but don’t just “do something” out of guilt, fear, panic, or because you think your worth depends on how many tasks you complete in a day. Be obedient to your inner guidance. And you’ll be amazed at what that one phone call yields for you; and how happy your kids will be!

It is my hope that these lessons have been helpful to you. Be encouraged and know that if I can make it, you can too. The biggest lesson to take note of is that I am still here…and so are you! There is life after losing your job. You have more to give and more to receive. Take one step and one day at a time. God is with you ALWAYS!

Welcome to BECOME LIGHT!

My name is Dawn Mitchell. I would like to welcome you to Become Light!

Become Light! is a blog dedicated to transformation or change. To "become light" is to become "different in essence" or to "lose one's original nature". This is an ongoing process that everyone must continually undergo as we all strive to become the "greatest version of the highest vision" God has for us individually and collectively. It is my desire to share the lessons I have learned on my life's journey in the hopes that they will encourage, inspire and help someone else to "become light"! I love you! Be blessed.