What Do I Do?

THE STORY

Today I am in Puyallup, Washington, vising my father and his wife. We arrived yesterday after a very long day of travelling (which included me staying up all night!), and we will be here a few more days before heading to Salem, Oregon to visit my mother. After that, our next step will be Bend, Oregon for a cousin's wedding.

During all this time of travelling--visiting relatives, meeting new people--I expect that more than once I will be asked the question, "So what do you do?"

Ask any network marketer, and they will tell you that this is probably the hardest question for them to answer! How much do you say? How little do you say? What kind of details are necessary? How can you pique someone's curiosity enough for them to want to hear more, without turning them off so they will never listen in the future?

There are several techniques for answering this tricky question, and entire training courses are designed to help people learn them. In fact, I used to teach one!

But recently on one of our training calls, I heard someone say that when he is asked the question, he replies, "Whatever I want to."

Wow. What a powerful response! And so appropriate--given my most recent revelation that, in fact, my JOB is to live my own life fully and happily and set the example--even give permission--for others to do the same.

How serendipitous that Bob Doyle sent me the following in an email today:

"Despite what you may currently believe or have been taught, it is not the purpose of our lives to struggle, to work hard for years, or try to 'figure things out.' Our job is to do what we love to do. When we do that with full trust and knowing that doing so will naturally attract our deepest desires, we become powerful magnets, which absolutely assures our success."

THE LESSON

So, what do I do? Whatever I want! And that means:

• Hanging out with my kids at the pool, at the beach, at the lake, at home just goofing around
• Remodeling my home and making it into the house of my dreams
• Cooking exquisite vegetarian meals--trying new recipes with exotic ingredients and going on a taste adventure!
• Travelling the country and sometimes the world (my husband is not a big world traveller!)
• Volunteering for causes I believe in
• Hanging out with like-minded people who are, without exception, positive, uplifting, and motivating
• Oh, and occasionally I talk to people who have requested information about what I do and show them how they can do it, too

I LOVE MY LIFE!!!!!

TAKE ACTION

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• What do you do? Does the answer fill you with passion, excitement, and joy? If not, what would your life have to be like for this to be true? Take one step today toward making this a reality. Right now.

Are You Worth It?

Lately I have been kicking around something in my head about the cost of the Beyond Freedom program, and I feel I need to write it down here.

THE STORY

When your car breaks down, you find the money to fix it.
When your body breaks down, you find the money to fix it.
But when your LIFE breaks down, you say you don't have the money to fix it.

You see, it's not about whether you have the money (or could come up with the money), it's about what you believe in spending it on. Why is that? What stories have you been told that lead you to believe that your life is not worth fixing? That you are supposed to just "get by" on the way things are now?

THE LESSON

The answers to these questions could fill volumes, and each person is going to have their own unique response.

But the core issue, really, is belief.

You see, you know (or at least you're pretty sure) that for a given amount of money, the mechanic will fix your car.

You know (or at least you're pretty sure) that for a given amount of money, the doctor will diagnose your problem and prescribe the correct treatment that will make you well.

But you don't believe (or at least you have some doubt) that buying, using, and applying Beyond Freedom will actually improve and transform your life.

So belief--not money--is the heart of the problem.

You see, if you truly believed that Beyond Freedom would, without question, fix your life, you wouldn't hesitate--you would FIND the money, just like you would find it for your car and you would find it for your health.

So what will it take to turn your belief around? Only you know will know the answer. For many it is the testimonials of those that you listen to on the conference calls and meet at the events. For some it may be this blog and my personal testimony of how it has affected my life. For some it may be prayer and an accompanying personal witness. And for others, it may just be a matter of walking out in faith, knowing that God will provide the answers when you provide the action: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

TAKE ACTION

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• Do you believe that you deserve to live the life you are living right now? Why or why not? Take a few minutes and write your thoughts in a journal. You might be surprised what you discover.
  

Receive or Resist

Initially I was going to title this post "Receive vs. Resist," but it occurred to me that that sounded like it was some kind of fight, resulting in some kind of winner. Not so. What I am going to talk about today is a choice.

THE STORY

As you know, I have been working diligently to put into practice the things I am learning in my Beyond Freedom course. Mind you, everyone is working toward doing this. Top earners delve into their Beyond Freedom every day and go through it over and over. In fact, I heard Gene tell someone recently that he had gone through it about 9 times over the last 4 years.

This, plus my experiences with Dani over the last year, has developed my faith to a level I really never thought possible--and it's continuing to grow.

As I read my scriptures and other inspired works, new knowledge, wisdom, and understanding is popping out all over the place, and I am gaining the courage to let go and let God, as they say.

So I wrote a very personal affirmation about the person I want to be and my belief that, without question, God will help me achieve it. (I may post this affirmation at some point, but not now--it's not important for this journal entry and it's very personal.)

The first day using the affirmation was awesome! I felt so happy and inspired, and I began to feel that indeed, I was that person. But there was one thing in my affirmation that really required a tremendous amount of faith. In fact, some might say that it required a "miracle." (I will note here that I do not believe in miracles--with God all things are possible, which means that what we call miracles are just every day events for God--it doesn't require anything special on His part, it just seems special because it is outside of our experience.)

Anyway, in order for things to happen, you cannot just have faith. You must activate that faith with action. That is how you prove that you have faith. Otherwise, faith has no meaning. "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26, my emphasis)

My "miracle item" required me to do something very specific to prove my faith. I knew it. I knew it clearly. But I was not willing to do it.

Why? Didn't I believe that God was big enough to do this thing?

Immediately I went into this place of deep contemplation--almost despair--a place I had been before with other things I learned about in my Beyond Freedom. Previously, it had taken days to figure out what was holding me back. This time, I got down on my knees and cried out to God, and the answer came in minutes.

And I was shocked at the power of this insight.

THE LESSON

The answer was very clear: I had to choose to receive the gift. In my mind, I referred to this revelation being in "Receive Mode."

The idea of "Receive Mode" was so powerful that it brought to mind all of these experiences in which we turn it OFF--without realizing it, or without realizing the harm that it brings us. Let me rephrase that--without realizing the good that we deny ourselves by having it off.

I had in my mind the idea of "chi"--the Chinese concept that all around us is freeflowing energy (chi), and the blockage of that energy is what brings about disease (dis-ease) and discomfort. Acupuncture, for example, is designed to open up the blocked channels so that the energy can flow freely again and allow the body to return to its natural state of health.

What I saw so clearly is that this freeflowing energy is not just about health, but about every good that we desire.

How many times has someone offered to help you and you say, "Nope, I got it. Thanks." We THINK that we are actually helping the other person--being nice to them by not making them do something that we feel we can do ourselves (in fact, I would venture to say that "I can do it myself" is the entire problem with humanity--but that's a topic for another blog). In actuality, we are blocking the free flowing energy (for lack of a better term) of kindness, service, goodness, and happiness! We are doing the person harm by not allowing them to feel the warmth of kindness (and you should know by now that rendering service and helping another is one of the best feelings available to mankind), and we are doing ourselves harm by not allowing IN (not being in "Receive Mode") things that are good and kind and happy.

This same philosophy is why the concept of tithing and giving to others is such a powerful force in the universe. When we fail to give freely of our money, our possessions, etc., we are actually BLOCKING the free flowing of money/blessings throughout our lives. "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10, my emphasis)

The wisdom continued as I realized all of the times that I have put up a block to receiving things into my life: "No--wait! I'm not ready!" and the moment passes. I can't even express what an eye-opening, soul-opening realization this has been to me.

And then, when I consciously started turning on my Receive Mode, the Law of Attraction kicked in, and I was able to manifest all sorts of amazing experiences in my life--things that maybe otherwise might be a little scary, but because I agreed to turn on Receive and just let them come in, blessings flowed.

Two more quick things:

1. Being in Receive Mode, as I mentioned, is scary. It means allowing things to come in that you don't know exactly how it will turn out and releasing control of that outcome. But that's the feeling of falling. It is a requirement to living by faith.

2. One of the things I manifested once I had this realization is the work of Bob Doyle. He is one of the teachers in The Secret, and runs a training program called Wealth Beyond Reason. A key point of his work is knocking out our personal resistance to the blessings that the universe has to bestow. He quotes Roger Lanphear, who says:

"We all want money, Right? Well, yes and no. You may indeed think you want money, but there could be some deep-seated fear about getting it. Maybe you are afraid your friends will think you’re too uppity and leave you. Maybe you’re afraid to manage it--all those investment decisions. Maybe you’re afraid you’ll lose your ambition, or that your personality will change. Maybe you’re afraid money will make it impossible to continue your career.

"If you don’t experience abundance, you can be certain you have some deep fear about having money. It represents pain to you. I realize that is not what you think you think. Consciously you want money and you can see all the benefits it could bring. Nevertheless, if you don’t now experience abundance, you have some deep-seated fear that you need to come to grips with."

So, continue in resistance, or start to receive. It's your choice.

TAKE ACTION

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• Are you resisting the very thing that you have been asking for? If you truly, truly want it, consciously make the decision to receive. Just relax and accept what the Universe has to offer. You will be amazed at what starts flowing into your life.
• The next time someone offers to help you--say YES! No matter what it is. BOTH of you will be blessed because of it.

Purpose

I was so inspired by today's wake up call, that I changed the message on my voicemail. It nows say, "Hi you've reached the Remmers family, and we are out living life with passion and purpose!"

THE STORY

Today's call continued the week's theme of the three P's: Passion, Purpose, and Practice.

Tony said again that you cannot practice (and by that he means doing, not rehearsing!) without having passion, and you cannot be passionate without a purpose.

Brian, Tony's guest, quoted Donald Trump when he said, "You have to love and be passionate about what you do or you will never be successful at it."

So yesterday I spent some time with my goals.

In the Beyond Freedom program, we are instructed to write a list of 101 things we would like to do before we die. This exercise was one of the most powerful things I have done yet.

I was amazed at how hard it was. When I first did it, I stuggled to come up with 19! And then, when I looked at the list, I was shocked to discover that most of my goals did not require any money (that is, it didn't require me to be rich) to do them! What was that all about? What was stopping me from just doing them?

I had to do some major soul searching to figure out what it was--but that's a journal entry for another time.

Back to my goals. I am happy to report that I am now up to 38--with several in progress and one officially completed! :o)

When I originally wrote them out, they were pretty jumbled, so I decided to group them together. They seemed to naturally fall out into the following categories: Daily Living (things that have to do with the house, garden, etc.), My Body, Skills to Develop, Trips/Travels, Philanthropy, and Misc.

Part of me looks at the list and wonders how I will EVER accomplish so many--and there are only 38! But if I did only one per year for the rest of my life, I would still have several years left of my life, so I just need to get busy focus on the actual doing.

Anyway, I was doing this goal exercise yesterday--the same day I wrote my entry about how my passion in life is the overcoming story--and I struggled with how these goals (my purpose) fit into my overreaching goal (my passion) of helping others overcome their own circumstances and live the life of their dreams.

And then it hit me.

THE LESSON

Perhaps it will take a hundred times before this answer--the same answer--comes to me naturally. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit? Maybe I need to ask this same question and then answer it for 21 consecutive days. Maybe then when I ask the question one more time, I won't have to work so hard to see the right answer.

Achieving my goals sets the example and shows others how to achieve theirs.

It's so simple! It's so obvious! And yet, for now, it doesn't come naturally. I must overcome years and years and generations and generations of programming that tells me I must sacrifice myself for the good of others.

No!

To continue the quotes I used yesterday:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. 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." (Marianne Williamson, often incorrectly attributed to Nelson Mandela, my emphasis)

"14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

"15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

"16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

TAKE ACTION

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• Do you know your purpose in life? You can find out by discovering your passion. What are you passionate about? God planted that in you, just like the parable of the talents. Do not bury it. Use it and multiply it.

Passion

Honestly, I think that I could spend all day every day just writing. That's a funny statement to me, because I really don't think of myself as a "writer"--despite the fact that I own a personal history writing company, have written a popular short story, manage and moderate several Yahoo! Groups, and write newsletters for several different organizations. Maybe I need to redefine myself!

I don't know...I guess maybe I just don't put that label on myself because I don't have any aspirations to write a novel. :o)

But when it comes to writing this journal--my thoughts and feelings about Beyond Freedom and my own personal journey, so much comes to my mind I don't know how or when I will ever be able to write it all down.

THE STORY

This week's wakeup theme is the three P's: Purpose, Passion, and Practice. Last night's powerful Black Belt call (always powerful--I think that's why they call it Black Belt!) was about passion. And Shannon says on the Advanced Advisor call that top earners in our company have 5 things in common, the first of which is that every single one of them has goals they are passionate about--not things they want or would like to have someday, but things they are not willing to live without.

So I went to sleep thinking, "What am I really passionate about?" And I don't mean just the goals I want to achieve. I mean what, deep down, really drives me. What calls to me.

THE LESSON

The conclusion I came to is this:
I am passionate about the overcoming story.

I never really put it together before, but this has been a driving force throughout my entire life. It's the storyline of my favorite movies. It's the theme of my favorite songs. It's why I love musical theatre so much--the opportunity to just break out into song when you are so filled with emotion that you cannot express it any other way! It's the friends that I have, it's the professions I have chosen, it's the mentors I follow. It's what attracted me to the business I am in today.

I want to see the broken and downtrodden, the sick and the weary, the sad and depressed RISE UP...TAKE CONTROL...LIVE THE LIFE OF THEIR DREAMS.

To be instrumental in that is my heart's desire.

So how can I live this passion? How can I spend every moment walking toward helping others achieve their potential?

Tony said it this morning, Shannon said it last week, John said it last night...
Be an example of what's possible.

This is such a reality shift for me. For years I thought that the way to accomplish it was to design programs, to provide encouragement, to talk, to write, to motivate.

Now I realize that people don't do what you say, they do what you do. I have heard that all my life, but it's finally beginning to sink in.

Since plugging into Beyond Freedom, I have completely changed. I have gone from stressed out, overworked, over committed, always sacrificing my dreams and my time for others, to having fun, accomplishing things that make me feel good inside, and enjoying life for the first time in years! I feel 20 pounds lighter. I am happier. And people all around me have noticed.

"As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." (Maryanne Williamson)

"Let your light so shine before men." (Matt 5:16)

I think now I get it.

TAKE ACTION:

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• What are you passionate about? Write it down. What have you done today, this week, this month, to fulfill that passion? "The God-given passions we carry within, sometimes so deeply as to be forgotten, must be unearthed and embraced, for they are vital links to the ultimate joy of life as God intended." -- John Eldredge

Deliver Us

Part of the Beyond Freedom experience is journalling every day. That's what this blog is supposed to be, and yet already I have missed that goal. But, like I said last time, it's a matter of practice to get better and better.

THE STORY

For the last several days I have been pondering a TV show I happened to catch on the History Channel about Star Wars. In it there were several historians, authors, and other educated people talking about "the hero's journey"--steps outlined by Joseph Campbell of mythical heroes and their journeys as described in world literature. The show was talking about how Luke Skywalker also followed these same steps.

You can find an outline of the steps at http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/smc/journey/ref/summary.html

The whole thing is quite fascinating to me on several levels, but what I want to mention here are the first three steps that he defines:

1. The Call to Adventure. The call to adventure is the point in a person's life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not.
2. Refusal of the Call. Often when the call is given, the future hero refuses to heed it. This may be from a sense of duty or obligation, fear, insecurity, a sense of inadequacy, or any of a range of reasons that work to hold the person in his or her current circumstances.
3. Supernatural Aid. Once the hero has committed to the quest, consciously or unconsciously, his or her guide and magical helper appears, or becomes known.

When I was at Dynasty in Minneapolis, Hans and Dani talked to us about goals and dreams and setting the bar for our lives very high. Hans said, "Don't think for a second that you aren't the one to do it."

This resonated with me. Like all heroes along the journey, we are all normal people living our normal every day lives. But we have within us a call to adventure--a call to something greater. Our first notion might be that we are not capable nor worthy of such a task. But once we make the decision, the universe steps in to help us accomplish it.

While I was pondering this theme, the story of Moses came to mind. Here again was a normal person (at least in his mind!) living a normal life, when he was called to something greater. His first reaction? No, it's not him. But once he made the decision, God stepped in and he freed a nation.

THE LESSON

So yesterday I popped in my CD of "The Prince of Egypt"--an animated dramatization of the early part of Moses' life and mission. As I listened to the song, "Deliver Us," which sets the stage of the enslaved Hebrews longing for someone to come set them free, I wept and wept. Suddenly that song took on new meaning. Those men toiling and building those pyramids in bondage were no different than the millions of people around me who are toiling and building someone else's dream just to get by. They, too, are in bondage. They, too, pray for a way out and just can't see one. Suddenly I realized my mission--my obligation--to set people free.

That's what the Beyond Freedom program is--a mechanism to set people free--people who are in bondage to their lives and their circumstances--who are looking for a way OUT.

And even though I wonder how the normal person that I am could possibly accomplish such a great feat, I know that my decision is all that is necessary to bring divine assistance.

By the way, if you have not seen the movie nor heard the song, here is a short clip. I hope that it touches you like it does me.

TAKE ACTION:

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• Have you been feeling like you are called to something greater, but you don't have a clue how to accomplish it? Start by making the decision. Decide today that, no matter what, you will do it. Then watch as powerful forces come to your aid.

A Talk with Tony

Well, this is not what I was going to write about today, but I just got off the phone with Tony, and I really felt I needed to jot out some thoughts.

THE STORY

I called Tony the other day after listening to the Advanced Advisors call. This is a weekly training call, and it is always so awesome. So uplifting--so inspiring--just like everything in our community. The company is running a contest and the leaders on the call were joking about how they have visualized winning it--picking out their dress and their lipstick, and imagining standing on stage receiving the award, etc.

The reality is, however, that only one person is going to win. So I was struggling with how to handle losing. Not that I want to FOCUS on that, of course, but one of the things I have realized about myself and setting goals is that I cannot bear to lose. I would just rather not play. You see, all of these people are doing all the right things, but only one will WIN. So how do the people who don't win (I don't want to call them "losers!") deal with it?

Anyway, I finally got connected with Tony this morning and we had a GREAT talk.

THE LESSON

I had intented to write out the details of our conversation, but right when I was in the zone, a prospect called, we had a great conversation, and I was able to schedule him to the call!

So let me just share the upshot of the lesson I learned today.

Tony pointed out that by saying I was "destroyed" when I didn't win, I was actually confirming that fact. So number one, I need to get rid of that.

Second, we realized that not winning, does not mean that you have not achieved. You have to look at the big picture of what you have gained just by participating.

We talked about other things as well, but then it came up again that by worrying so much about what to do when I don't win--or I don't achieve my goal--I was actually "planning my failure."

We hung up the phone, and as I pondered what replacement emotion could I use or what kind of different perspective I could have on the matter, the following sports analogy came to me.

Let's say I have a goal to throw a ball through a ring. If I throw the ball and it does not go through, what is my reaction? Do I cry and say, "Oh, this stuff doesn't work--it's impossible." Heavens no! I say, "OK, how close did I get and what do I need to adjust or improve about my technique so that it does goes through the next time?"

And you do that EVERY time and you KEEP practicing until it goes in every time.

Learning to use the mind, create your reality, manifest lasting changes in your life--all of that--is a skill. And you have to practice and practice and practice until you figure it out and get good.

TAKE ACTION:

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• What have you been working to achieve in your life? Take one step today toward it.
  

Field Day

THE STORY

So, I guess I'll start by writing about Field Day today at my daughter's school--it was surprisingly emotional!

In case you don't remember from your own grade school days (I didn't!), Field Day is a day set aside for Physical Education activities. When I was a kid, it included things like a football toss, a hula hoop contest, a mile jog, etc.

At my daughter's school, they had two days--one for the little kids and one for the big kids. I attended the big kid day today, and they had things like a modified volleyball game, an obstacle course, several water games, and so on.

Anyway, last year, the PE Teacher asked the PTA if we would provide popsicles for the kids, and I agreed to purchase them and hand them out. They had a strict policy about younger siblings not participating, and since my four year old son was going to be with me, it was easier to do this than help out at one of the game stations. Besides, one of my limiting beliefs has been that I am "not a very fun adult" and "not very good with kids"--so this would be a much more "comfortable" position.

Last year went well, so the PE Teacher asked if I would do it again this year.

Because I am getting better at saying no (!), I said I would be willing to it today, but not both days.

So, all I did was buy the popcicles, pre-count them out into bags for each class, show up and hand them out.

Why was it that I spent the afternoon crying?

To understand that, I have to back up a little bit. As part of the Beyond Freedom community, I get to plug into a daily motivation and inspiration call--we call it the "Wake Up to Success" call. Each week, there is a different theme, and a few weeks ago, the theme was having fun.

This series of calls had a powerful effect on me. You see, I don't know the first thing about fun. It's a foreign word to me--not in my vocabulary. In fact, I remember having a conversation once with this guy I had a crush on. He was telling me about this girl he liked (and eventually married), and I asked him what he liked about her. The first thing that came out of his mouth was that she was "fun." I remember thinking what a stupid way to judge whether or not to settle down with someone. I mean, sure, you should get along and enjoy each other's company, but there are more important things in life than FUN!

Anyway, so when I heard our leaders talking about how in order to be successful you had to have fun, it really hit me. Hard. NO WONDER I was having so much trouble in my business! People looked at me--stressed out, overworked and over committed--and thought NO WAY do I want to do what you do! Even if I was hiding it and sounding peppy on the phone, the universe knew the truth, and the universe speaks much louder than I do!

So I began a quest to have fun, and what I realized is that I just don't know how. I have layers and layers and layers and layers of ego--pride. "That's not me," "What will people think?," and "Oh, grow up."

A few weeks ago I was at a Dani event in Minneapolis and ran into an acquaintance that I knew, from a previous conversation, was the kind of person who liked to have a lot of fun. I told her about this experience and asked her what kinds of things she did for fun. She told me something very powerful.

"Margie," she said, "I find fun in everything I do."

She had to go, and we didn't have a chance to talk more, but her words rang in my ears and are still with me.

THE LESSON

So what does this have to do with Field Day?

As I sat with my cooler, watching the kids playing their games, the thought came over me--I was never one of these kids.

I often say I was born an adult. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to do adult things. I had little tolerance for the kids around me and their petty games and inconsequential activities! I had bigger fish to fry! Even being a kid was "business" to me.

So I watched these kids (and the teachers that were joining them)--laughing, running around, having fun, being rambunctious--and I started to cry about how much I have missed.

So many years wasted. So many layers to peel off to really let myself go.

So much to learn.

TAKE ACTION

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• Laugh and have fun at least once each day.
• Put on your favorite song and dance as if no one is watching.
  

Why This Blog

THE STORY

There once was a man who was walking along the side of a cliff, when a great wind swept him over the side.

Luckily, there was a small tree growing out of the side of the canyon, which he grabbed and was able to save himself from falling.

As he was holding on for dear life, he heard a voice that said, "Do you believe that I created the wind that swept you into this canyon?"

And the man said, "Yes, Lord, I believe."

And the voice said, "Do you believe that I created this tree that has saved your life?"

And the man said, "Yes, Lord, I believe."

And the voice said, "And do you believe that I could create a wind that would be so strong, it would pick you up and land you safely at the top of the ridge?"

And the man said, "Yes, Lord, I believe."

And the voice said, "Then let go."

THE LESSON

I first heard this story many years ago (I'm afraid I do not know the author) and have thought of it often. I always thought that if that had happened to me, I would not have the courage to "let go"--my faith was strong, but not that strong!

But things have massively changed for me in the last year, and I have come to realize this great truth: If you do not feel like you are falling every moment of your life, then you are not walking by faith.

Starting this blog is an enormous step out in faith for me.

Last month, Brent and Shayne encouraged us to speak up and promote the positive changes that the "Beyond Freedom" personal development program has had in our lives. For me, in just a very short period of time, it has uncovered layers and layers of "stuff" that has kept me stressed out, over committed, overworked, and unsuccessful for YEARS. It's like I was on a stationary bike, and I thought if I just pedalled harder, I would get where I wanted to go. I am just now beginning to experience the freedom of the open road.

This blog will serve a dual purpose.

First, it will serve as evidence of the amazing changes that the Beyond Freedom program is capable of making, not only in my life, but in yours as well.

Second, it will serve as my personal journal--and this is the scary, walking out by faith part. In this journal, I am publishing to the world the deepest, most intimate parts of what makes up me--both the good and the stuff that needs to be gotten rid of. It will mention people who have had a major impact on me, and they may not like what they read. It will mention events that have shaped who I am and who I am becoming, and the people involved may or may not agree with my recollection of details or my interpretation of them. It will be like I am on my very own reality show.

Whew--I feel like I am falling just thinking about it! But, as I have recently learned, that is the true test of walking by faith.

So, onward and upward. I can't wait to see what is in store.

TAKE ACTION

• If you like what you read in this blog and would like to find out more about the Beyond Freedom program, please contact the person that sent you here. If you found this blog by accident (knowing, of course, that there are no accidents), you may contact me at beyondfreedom@theremmersfamily.com
• To read more about walking by faith, read The Parable of The Clothes.
  
• If you haven't already, watch The Secret. If you HAVE seen it, watch it again.