The Wilder Zone

My Personal Wilder Zone Gets Even Wilder

August has been one of those months. You know the kind - where things aren't quite flowing in the way you'd like and the challenging days are the norm rather than the exception.  Don't get me wrong. Life is good. It's just been a bit more challenging than usual.

That's life in The Wilder Zone. When you're consistently stepping out of your comfort zone, getting up to big things, stretching yourself, and learning in action, life can at times feel a bit out of control. Some of the events may even seem on the surface to be negative, but often are necessary to move you closer to what you're called to do and be.

With practice it really does become easier to catch those curve balls life throws our way, to roll with the punches, and to learn to see the blessings in even the most challenging situations. It's all just a part of the journey. And I'll gladly accept the challenges of living fully over the comfort and safety of living life on auto-pilot any day. While there may be a few more challenges in The Wilder Zone the blessings and rewards are multiplied too, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Oprah's Gift

I brought my laptop out to my favorite comfy chair in my living room this afternoon to watch Oprah's 20th Anniversary Show while I work. I must confess I've gotten so wrapped up in the show that I'm not getting much work done.

Oprah is an amazing woman and she's been an incredible inspiration to me and to millions of people over the past 20 years. She's so much more than a daytime talk show host. She's served as living proof that no matter how humble your beginnings, no matter how the odds may seem to be stacked against you, you can think big, act big, and realize even the grandest of your dreams.

She's living proof that not only can you realize your grandest dreams but you can do so, not by being what you think others want you to be, but by being your most authentic, your most fully-expressed self. What an incredible gift her life and work have been to the world, and no doubt will continue to be.

It's a Life Choice

Choosing to be or become a solo pro is so much more than just a business decision. It's a personal choice, a life choice. As solo pros we go into business for ourselves in order to create not just a business, but a life; built around our passion, our calling, our purpose. Because of this our business lives and our personal lives are inextricably linked.

We go into business for ourselves not just as a means to make a living, but because we feel called to serve others, and desire to create a lifestyle which will allow us to fulfill our destiny; to be and express fully who we are, to make a difference, to enhance the lives of others, to fill our days with joy doing what we love.

 

What is the Wilder Zone?

The Wilder Zone is where you find yourself when ……

You choose to live YOUR life……follow your bliss, live your passion, answer your calling, wake-up to your destiny. However you care to describe it, it’s where you find yourself when you stop living life according to the standards set for you, by society, your parents, your spouse, or your friends, and begin living life according to your own values, passions and dreams.

The Wilder Zone is where you find yourself when……

You stop settling for being less than you know you can be, stop trying to be who you think others need or want you to be, stop settling for a life that is far less than you once dreamed, stop setting limits on what can and can’t be done, stop living motivated by should, and start living inspired by possibility.

The Wilder Zone is where you find yourself when……

You begin to remember, and reacquaint yourself with, who you really are. When you begin to remember your dreams, feel your passions, and long to fully express yourself. This is no ordinary longing, but one so strong, so powerful, that it begins to take on a life of its’ own. It refuses to be any longer ignored and pulls at your attention, your awareness, your heart……..your very being. Until one day, despite your fears, despite your doubts and uncertainties, you recognize that there is no longer any other choice but to live your life, to live true to yourself, to fully express yourself, to step into your own innate power to create a life that you feel passionate about and that will bring you immense joy. 

If you’ve read this far, I’d venture to say you’re either already following your longing to live more fully or you’re standing on the brink contemplating making the leap (in which case you’ve already crossed the point of no return – you just may not know it yet). Either way……I hope you'll join me in stepping out of your comfort zone and into The Wilder Zone, because as one of my favorite quotes says:

Life should not be a journey to the grave

With the intention of arriving in a well preserved body

But rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand,

Strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up,

Totally worn out and screaming,

WOO HOO! What a Ride!