Have you ever sat in a public space and listened to people talk on their cell phones? Much like a soap opera, sometimes you can't help but get pulled in. This happened to me recently as I waited at an airport gate. First, let me say, I don't usually spend my time trying to eavesdrop. OK, if I'm really honest, sometimes I do. LOL! I am a curious person by nature. So when one particular conversation was loud and right in front of my face, I couldn't help but pay attention.
For at least 45 minutes, a woman sitting directly in front of me coached her friend on the other end of the line through what seemed to be a difficult relationship. This petite blonde woman was a warrior with her strength and heartfelt conviction. She encouraged her friend to love herself and to set boundaries. She sounded like a woman of wisdom. Over and over again, this woman professed how she might handle herself if she were to face a similar situation.
That's when it hit me: many of us are really great at coaching others. We can see so clearly what another person needs to be happy. But when it comes to our own lives, we often can't see the forest through the trees. It's like my dad used to say, "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?"
Sometimes it's really hard to walk the walk.
Have you ever asked yourself why?
Most of us were raised to make others the authority of our lives. We were told from a young age that others knew better than us. So we learned to listen to their opinions more than our own. And if we didn't listen, we were often punished.
In order to survive, we lived by the "good child" rules and disconnected from our true selves. Instead of being grounded, happy people, we grew up being confused adults. This is why it's so easy to talk the talk, but not walk the walk. We're not listening to ourselves.
To walk the walk, you must go within and take back the authority of your life. You have to break the rules to discover what is right for you.
Here's the problem: You were probably taught that anything to do with taking time to look at your own life is selfish and wrong.
Here's the truth: It is due to THIS training we receive when we're young that sets us up for even greater confusion when we grow up.
Copyright: evgenyatamanenko / 123RF Stock Photo
It's time to retrain your brain! It's time to stop the confusion.
If you're not already walking the walk, here are four keys that will help you get started:
- Talk to the little kid inside of you and ask, "What do you think? What's right for you?" Or, "What makes you tick?"
- Take back the reins of your life and give yourself permission to be you.
- Ask your inner child, "What can I do for you today to help you stand in this truth?"
- Take action
Taking the time to get to know who you are and what makes you tick is NOT selfish. In fact, it is your most selfless act of all.
As you love yourself unconditionally, you connect to the Divine wisdom inside of you. Instead of living in a state of emotional angst and confusion, you become more peaceful. And in this peace, you trust that you are enough. Your life becomes playful, passionate, and even prosperous. Every area of your life, your relationships, your work, and your health, are affected for the better.
This is not only fabulous for you, but it's great for the people around you! They get to watch you and learn.
So, it's time to get real honest with yourself. Are you a person who walks the walk? Or do you talk the talk?
I wonder about the woman at the airport. She felt so strong in her advice. I have no idea if she practices what she preaches. What I do know for sure is that the woman on the other end of the line would not have needed so much coaching if she were tapped into her own Divine wisdom.
As you take back the authority of your life, you clear the cobwebs and shift out of confusion. With each step you take to love and listen to yourself, you get grounded in your wisdom. Little steps become giant steps of trust. You stop talking the talk and finally walk the walk, and become a Leader of Love.
Terri Britt is a spiritual coach, inspirational speaker, former Miss USA, and the award-winning author of The Enlightened Mom. Ready to "walk the walk"? If you are, The Worthiness Quotient Breakthrough Bundle will help you not only get started, but will also help you look intuitively to see the gift you give others when you stand in your truth. It's FREE!