For some people stories and characters come to them and seem to become part of their life. And for certain people, those characters become their destiny and their purpose.
J.K. Rowling was given Harry Potter and his story in 1990. It took her 5 years from receiving the idea for the world of Harry Potter and fully sketching out the outline for the 7 books. It then took her another 2 years to finish the first book and get it published. Over the next 10 years she would share the whole story in the series.
George Lucas was given the idea for the Star Wars stories and launched the first movie in 1977. That story is still being unfolded today, 40 years later.
20 years ago three characters were born in my imagination as part of a journal box and story for kids to get their ideas down on paper. But those 3 characters really seemed to be part of a larger group of friends, so four more characters joined what would be known to me as Daisy Button and her friends.
I could see them so clearly in my mind and the real life adventures that they would go on. Over the years their story has clung to my heart and seemed to always be there. As I worked with kids in my coaching practice, the Daisy Button characters seemed to resonate with the kids I was working with. They wanted to make a difference in the world, they had a deep desire to help others and they wanted real life tools to make things happen.
I sketched out the first 3 books in the series many years ago, and self published the first in the DB Adventures series in 2011. It was a story about Social Enterprise, showing kids how they can create win/win situations. A way to make money and help others in their community. When it was done, it seemed like it should have a curriculum to accompany it, one developed online with games and engaging activities. So I developed that as well, and sold it into 5 schools in New Jersey.
I thought that would be the time that Daisy Button and her friends would finally make their way into the hands of kids, but suddenly the doors stopped opening.
With everything that God creates, he has his own timing for when stories should be shared.
God had other plans first. He needed me to go through some very painful and personal experiences before Daisy could float back into my life. A few years later, I knew it was time. But my life experiences changed my perspective on the path I wanted to take with Daisy and her friends.
This time I wanted to get the characters and tools directly in the hands of kids, and empower them to go out and make a difference, as I had done in my coaching practice. Only now they could utilize the technology that they love and pull their friends together to create their own real life adventures.
Books seem to come across my path just when I need them. It doesn't matter that my sister gave me "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren years ago.
I think I had started it and then put it aside. I was probably not ready at the time to fully understand its messages.
I had been wanting a Bible Study type book, to dive into after the first of the year, and came across this book, tucked away on my book shelf, waiting for the right time. I know I would get to it one day.
A 40-day Journey into the deeper meaning of our Purpose, which God has revealed to us within the passages of the Bible.
I was looking for assurances that I was on the Right Path. That I was doing what God intended me to do.
Throughout all of life's challenges, I believed that God has a Plan ~ I was hoping to understand it better by delving into this book.
When I reflect back on my life there are moments with people that are etched in my memory. There are dates in time that are unforgettable and they explain my journey of life.
This last weekend several experiences with family had me reflecting on the next chapter of my life, and felt like it was one of those memorable weekends.
My Aunt and Uncle, who are like my 2nd parents, visited my new place in Tampa and it felt like a passage from one life that we shared together in Connecticut/NJ, to a new life with new experiences in Florida.
Then my sister came down with her son, and we celebrated his 2nd birthday. A new tradition that started last year when we had his 1st birthday party at my house.
My brother then called to share his professional and personal news, and wedding plans being to unfold. Another family celebration to look forward to this year.
But even more memorable for me was a feeling that I was about to walk through a New Doorway to the next phase of my life.
I felt like I had gotten my Mojo back and a new and improved Tracey has emerged.
The last few years have been a work in progress ~ as I guess was part of God's plan. And Zack and I had to process, heal and grow into a new life.
On Super Bowl Sunday, as has been my tradition for many, many years, I was watching it with Zack. This year my Aunt and Uncle watched it with us, and I shared how Jeff used to always run a Super Bowl pool at work and the Meadowlands, and have his paper with all the boxes with him to see who won at the end of each quarter.
A few minutes later I was posting pictures from the weekend on Facebook and Jeff's name popped up, as if he was being tagged in the photos!
I showed my Aunt, who was sitting next to me on the couch. Jeff just wanted to reach out to me and let us know that he was here watching the Super Bowl with us......with my Aunt and Uncle who he loved so much, and while watching one of his favorite games.
This time it felt good seeing his name pop up on my Facebook post.
The pain has subsided and we are moving on, as he would want us to.
In late October, after my Big Birthday, which was an uncomfortable milestone for me, I felt an old part of myself float to the surface.
The Adventurous and Ambitious piece of my personality that had gotten buried was being awakened.
And the idea of resurrecting a true Vision Board ~ created with intention, came to life.
I began to make a list of personal and professional dreams for 2017 and pulled out all of my magazines to find visuals to accompany my thoughts.
A Vision Board becomes a Pact between you and the universe showcasing what you want to achieve this year. By tacking it up in my office, near my computer, I get to look at it every day and Manifest Those Intentions.
As I walked through Barnes and Noble this weekend, I reflected on the magazines I purchased 2 years ago to find visuals of the life I wanted to create in Tampa, after leaving New Jersey. Visuals so I could SEE what I wanted to create.
Due to God's support, those visions have become a reality!
Now is the time to see the Next Series of Goals unfold.
Through this blog, I will share with you my Dreams and Goals, as well as the work I will do to bring them into reality and the Progress that is made.
What are your Goals and Dreams for 2017?
Have you created a Vision Board to manifest your intentions?
God can't support your dreams if he doesn't know your intentions.
I believe that Grief is a very personal experience that each person handles differently.
In my case, the experience of walking with my husband to the end left me with post traumatic stress that I had a difficult time dealing with. On top of the blanket of grief that overwhelmed me, I had a young son that was in a deep sense of mourning and my focus was on his well being.
One thing I did learn through the experience is that time may not heal all wounds but the distance of time from the pain allows a new life to form. Time also allows the layers of grief to slip away.
In October, a dear friend and I were talking and she said she was happy to hear that I was coming out of the transition phase and walking into the next chapter.
That statement settled into my thoughts and I could feel a new door opening up.
Zack and I had Finally found a new rhythm to our life and I began to look at goals and dreams with a new perspective.
The goals I focused on over the last couple of years were developed from survival mode and trying to create a new life for us.
A couple of months ago I made a vision board for the New Year, an old tradition that suddenly floated to the top. It was a vision for the future, based on where we are today, not what we were running from.
My drive and determination was returning and feelings of Hope and Possibility were becoming stronger. And a deep sense of gratitude settled in my heart........for having made it through to the other side.
I can also see the growth in my son. He has settled into a new life that includes playing football, basketball and soccer, bike riding, new friends and making the honor role at school.
We made it through and are now Hopeful for the Good that God plans on bringing into our lives this year.
"I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born, says the Lord." Isiah 66:9
When you are young, you feel like you have the world at your feet. You can take risks because you don't have a lot to lose.
As you get older, more responsibilities come along and people begin to count on you. The risks become greater to step out and walk in faith.
I have learned A Lot in the last 30 years since I started my first business at 19.
Hard lessons that I think can only be learned by putting yourself out there and trying your best.
I have heard numerous times that the most successful people have lost everything a couple of times before they found the formula that worked and finally brought them success.
Following a Dream is Risky ~ if you win, you're a hero, if you lose, your considered a failure.
I have gained a unique perspective through my adult life as I have won, and lost, and then won big. Then I had my life stolen from me and I had to start over with nothing, but my creativity and courage. I have become a wife and mother.........and I have walked with my husband as he battled cancer and lost.
Life teaches you that with every ending, there is a beginning.
But the endings are hard, and the beginnings can be a challenge!
The one thing that keeps me going is my Belief that God is supporting my efforts. And I listen more closely these days to his direction.
Because through it all, I have realized that he is Ultimately in Control and I am her to serve!
Emotional baggage consists of all the hurts, all the pain, the disappointments and all the bad that we have gone through in our life up to this point.
A good friend of mine was sharing her childhood pain with me and how certain times of the year it still hits her hard. All the negative memories, the rejection and the feeling of less than come swirling back to her.
How many of us are walking, talking functional adults with dead holes in our soul and our heart?
We are great actors and actresses, wearing happy masks for the world, only to come home to our quiet space and lick our wounds at night.
Many times we don't even realize that we have accumulated all these hurts into a big sack that we carry around. It gets heavier and heavier each day......until we can barely breathe, and take one more step from the sheer exhaustion of carrying that load.
I hit that point recently. And realized how unhealthy it was for me.....and for my son.
I had to Let it all Go!
But maybe without even knowing, we cling to the emotional baggage like a blanket that we don't want to release. We know it, it's become part of us, and it may feel scary letting it go.
Meeting yourself in that moment and making the conscious decision to acknowledge that part of your life is over.
You aren't that person any longer! You are a survivor who made it through and learned a lot along the way.
Look at who you are today and love that person. It's time to be Free.
