Embracing Change and Living Authentically

Embracing change gives me the power to live authentically. No matter what I do, change happens. It is either random or intentional. You either choose your change or change dictates you.

Either way, change is happening. 

Embracing Change

The change in our hearts, minds, and bodies should be simple and easy. After all, change is happening no matter what. When we fight the change or ignore the change, we create friction. Friction causes pain.

I purchased a new pair of shoes. They looked just like I wanted. They felt great when I put them on – the perfect combination of support and style. And then I walked around in them for a while and before I could get home those shoes had worn a blister on my heel.

In hindsight, I knew they were ALMOST perfect. I tried to do what I wanted to do even though I knew better. That’s what happens when I am faced with change. Instead of taking off the shoes and changing into what actually works, I try to force the change or ignore the change.

Life blisters are way worse than a heel blisters.

I’ve been sharing the journey to grow change in my life on the Growing Hope podcast and the intentional choices that embracing change requires. Each day, I learned something about how I am either leaning into the change I want or falling prey to the change that shows up anyway.

Check out the past episodes of the Growing HOPE podcast by clicking the button:

What are you going to do? Go with the change you get or define the change you want?

A Path for Embracing Change: A ReCap of the podcasts from April 17 – April 21, 2023

Unmasking Our True Selves

By removing the masks we wear, we can make intentional choices that are unique to us which leads to embracing change to create and live our impossible dreams.

• Masks hide the reality of who we are, preventing us from living authentically.
• Wearing a mask makes it difficult to breathe, see, and move, limiting our potential.
• Removing masks allows us to see the truth and make intentional choices for change.
• Authenticity enables us to form genuine connections with others and support each other’s journeys.
• Belief in ourselves and our unique path must become a habit to create lasting change.

Challenge Questions:

1. How do the masks we wear prevent us from living authentically and embracing change?
2. What intentional choices can we make to remove our masks and reveal our true selves?
3. How can being authentic lead to stronger connections with others and support our personal growth?
4. In what ways can we invest in developing a habit of belief in ourselves and our unique path?
5. How can embracing our true selves and living authentically lead to a more fulfilling life?

By unmasking ourselves, we can embrace our unique design and develop the courage to walk the path intended for us. Change is constant, and we have the power to make intentional choices that shape our journey. Removing the barriers created by masks allows us to form genuine connections and support each other in our pursuit of living our best lives. In doing so, we can create a pathway to live more intentionally and authentically, leading to a life full of possibilities and growth.

More Different

1. Your different is unique to you, not defined by others.

Your unique path must be defined by you, not dictated by others. While you can learn from others and be encouraged by their journeys, ultimately, you must find your own way and make it unique to you.

2. Different can be focused or random.

Every moment of every day, we’re doing something. The key is to make intentional, purposeful choices that move us closer to our unique design. Random, unfocused actions waste time and resources and can lead to feeling stuck in a rut.

3. Write down your different to make it real.

Keeping a record of your actions and accomplishments is crucial to making your different intentional, focused, and achievable. Writing it down keeps you accountable and helps you stay on track toward your unique goals.

4. Passion fuels your different.

Your unique design should be fueled by your passion. If you’re not passionate about your path, you’ll get stuck in a rut and won’t be able to move forward. Your choices and actions must align with your unique design and fuel your passion.

5. Different is specific, but flexible.

You need to have a clear direction for your unique path, but you also need to be flexible enough to make adjustments as needed. Focused flexibility is key to achieving your unique design and making intentional, purposeful choices that lead you closer to your goals.

Challenge Questions:

1. Am I defining my different, or is it defined by others?
2. Are my actions focused or random? Am I wasting time and resources?
3. Am I keeping a record of my actions and accomplishments? Am I making my different intentional and focused?
4. Am I fueling my different with my passion? Am I making choices and taking actions that align with my unique design?
5. Is my different specific, but flexible? Am I making intentional, purposeful choices that move me closer to my unique goals while also remaining flexible enough to make adjustments as needed?

By embracing change, choosing to walk your unique path, and asking yourself these questions, you can grow the change you need to live boldly and in purpose. So take that first step today and make intentional, purposeful choices that move you closer to your unique design.

The Right Focus

Having the right focus is crucial to living the life you were designed to live. This focus starts with having a foundation in Jesus Christ and building a personal relationship with Him.

1. Investing in the Word of God

You need to read it every day and make it a habit. The more you read it, the more you will understand it and the more it will become part of who you are.

2. Studying the Word

It helps you learn and grow in your understanding of the Bible and the journey you are on. When you have a community to support you, it becomes easier to stay focused and achieve your goals.

3. Talking to God 

It doesn’t have to be formal or complicated. Just sit down, have a chat, listen, and talk to God. When you develop a relationship with Him, you’ll gain the encouragement you need to make the necessary changes.

4. Investing in a Community

Not a building or denomination, but people who have a similar focus and are all moving towards the same goal. Being in a community of like-minded individuals makes the journey more comfortable and provides support when needed.

5. Write Things Down

A prayer journal is an excellent way to record what you’re praying about, what you’re seeing, and what you’re learning in Scripture.

Challenge Questions:

1. Why is having a foundation in Jesus Christ so important to having the right focus?
2. Why is it essential to read the Word of God every day?
3. How can studying the Word of God with others help you achieve your goals?
4. How can talking to God be compared to having coffee with Him?
5. Why is investing in a community of like-minded individuals crucial to achieving your goals?

Turn Around and Start Looking Ahead

Living a fulfilling and purposeful life is the desire of every human being. However, getting to that place requires intentional change, which begins with adjusting oneself. 

1. Looking ahead creates a straight line. Focusing on the end goal and your unique design will enable you to stay on track.
2. Looking ahead reduces stumbles. Paying attention to what lies ahead will enable you to avoid obstacles and reduce the risk of stumbling.
3. Looking ahead prepares you for what’s coming. It allows you to be proactive and take necessary actions to overcome any challenges that may arise.
4. Looking ahead keeps you focused on possibilities. Dwelling on the past can weigh you down, but looking ahead opens up a world of opportunities.
5. Looking ahead releases you from the past. Letting go of the past frees you to live in the present and pursue your purpose.

Challenge Questions:

1. Why is it important to adjust oneself to create intentional change?
2. What happens when we focus on the past instead of looking ahead?
3. How does looking ahead help us prepare for the future?
4. What is the benefit of focusing on possibilities instead of dwelling on the past?
5. How does letting go of the past enable us to pursue our purpose?

From Dream to Belief

Creating change is a process that requires intentional effort, belief, and consistent habits. We must be willing to take the necessary steps to move toward our unique design and the life we want to live. By developing a strong belief system and creating habits that support our big dream goals, we can achieve anything we set our minds to.

1. Dare to dream: We must start by imagining the life we want to live and creating a big dream goal. This allows us to formulate a plan and take the necessary steps to get there.
2. Draw up your dreams: It’s essential to write down our big dream goals and create visual reminders of what we’re working towards. By speaking these dreams and feeding our minds and hearts with them, we give them roots and make them more tangible.
3. Speak to those who dare to dream: When sharing our dreams, it’s crucial to surround ourselves with people who believe in us and support our journey. These individuals will encourage and anchor us when needed.
4. Keep stretching: We must continually stretch our beliefs and move out of our comfort zones to grow and thrive. This allows us to become more than we ever imagined and feeds our ability to reach our big dream goals.
5. Expect the results: We must have faith in ourselves and our unique design and expect the results we want to achieve. Our expectations can limit our journey, so it’s crucial to ground them in our beliefs and take the necessary steps to get there.

Challenge Questions:

1. Why is it essential to surround ourselves with people who dare to dream?
2. How can we ensure that our expectations are grounded in our beliefs?
3. Why is it necessary to develop a strong belief system when creating change?
4. What is the significance of developing consistent habits that support our big dream goals?
5. How can we stretch our beliefs and move out of our comfort zones to grow and thrive?

Growing Hope Radio

 Catch up on the Growing Change episodes at Growing HOPE Radio.

• Learning to Talk Butterfly
• 5 Keys to Building Momentum
• Doing It My Way
• Nonconforming: How to Stop Resting On Your But
• Growing Belief from dreams

Intentional Change Creates the Best Life

Your best life will require that you move from where you are to where you want to be. Turns out, that moving is change. If you are going to be all that you are designed to be and you are going to walk in your purpose and on purpose, you have to embrace change to get there.

Ready to Craft Your Best Life?

Your best life is just one change away. Click here to learn more about how to get there.

Catch TODAY’S #GrowingHOPE episode

This week the focus is on ACCOUNTABILITY – Listen to today’s episode on how we have to choose more different if we want different results. Just click the play button below.

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