The Power of One Word...

Wow, 2011 is coming to a close and what a journey it has been.   I bet it's been a roller coaster ride for you, how do I know because that is life and we all go through ups and downs. At the start of 2011 I chose one word to live the rest of my life by and that word was TRUTH. I vowed to find it, discover it, accept it, speak it and live it. It wasn't easy and in many cases it was painful yet rewarding.

What I learned in my truth journey is..

• I am enough just as I am.
• The truth does set you free.
• The truth can hurt but it can also heal and inspire.
• My truth is mine. I cannot live some one's truth for them.
• The truth can break you down and help you break through and breakout!
• The truth can be re-created and used as a tool to be free, fearless, fired up and live fabulously!

I will use TRUTH as my guide for 2012 too and I'm adding a cherry on top to live my NAKED Truth! That's right the real, raw, imperfect, transparent, authentic truth.  Yes, no masks, costumes, veils or facades. I drew a line in the sand in 3 areas of my life (love, legacy and wealth) and there is no turning back. I am fully committing to living a full, satisfying, rewarding and delicious life ---simply by living my NAKED truth.

Choosing one word has been remarkable! I am free to speak my mind, do it my way, say NO and mean it, say YES and love it, set my own rules, show up in the raw, live BIG, own my power and create a legacy that leaves the world a much better place. I am FEARLESS and so are you!

I challenge you to start thinking now about the one word you will use as your guide for living the most fearless, FREE, and fabulous live you can imagine. I double-dog dare you to start now! Don't wait for 2012 to roll in, decide, choose and take action. The biggest aha in this truth journey is that I could not live in fear if I wanted to live in love and truth. I have been fearless all year long and will be even more fearless in 2012 and beyond.

So...what will your one word be? Choose one for 2012 and see what happens in your life. Change it in 2013 if you like but start today, right now with one word that speaks to your soul and will be the catalyst for creating a ridiculously fulfilling life.

YOU are the Genie you've been waiting for!  That's right, when you awaken the Genius within you, you can be who you want to be, do what you want to do and have what you want to have!

  

Life is going to happen no matter what, so why not hop in the driver's seat of your life and just do it! Whatever it is, whatever you want and desire. There is nothing to fear... Take your fearless faith and action into the New Year by mastering the Art of Fear-Free Living.

I invite you to put YOU at the top of your holiday list this year. Grab your copy of the LIVE BRAVE guide, The Art of Fear-Free Living and Awaken the Genius Within. Get one for the special ladies in your life to by going to this website.

My hope for you is that you will transition from fear-FULL to fear-LESS right now and for the rest of your life.

Happy Holidays and best-wishes for love, laughter and success! 

 

Be brave, courageous and fearless!
Catrice M. Jackson, MS, LMHP, LPC
International Empowerment Speaker, P-Spot Passionista, International Best-Selling Author
Official Site: www.catriceology.com 
New Book: www.theartoffearfreeliving.com

Radio Show: www.blogtalkradio.com/catriceology

It's Just An Illusion...Wake Up and Live Fearless!

I personally know how fear can paralyze and freeze us into place. Afraid to think, move, love, speak and step forward in faith. Oh yes I know it all too well. What I know even better is how opening the door to your fears can liberate your life and reveal the truth about who you are...

It's all an illusion. A nightmare we consciously create just by listening to one tiny little voice, the inner critic who resides in the heart of our ego. Yes that ego of ours serves to protect us in some ways yet it is the master of deceit. It tricks us into believing that we are too _______ to be who we want to be and have what we want to have. The ego and the inner critic conspire to strangle our dreams, squash our success and smother who we are, perfectly imperfect powerful beings who CAN co-create every desire of our hearts. (what masterpiece will you create?)

Your pain, your misery, your dissatisfaction and your confusion is all an illusion beautifully mastered by your ego and inner critic. How powerful they are...

But there's a greater power than they...

YOU...the hero within you. That power, that voice, that essence is...way more masterful than any little voice that speaks in your heart. You own that voice.  You own that ego. You are in control of it all and the power lies in your choice to listen to, entertain and react to the inner critic or ignore it, eliminate it and respond to your love source upon which all desires are manifested.

There have been moments in my life where I looked at my circumstances and thought "did I really create this and what the hell was I thinking, why would I do this to myself?" There have been other moments when I looked at my circumstances and said, "ok God what lesson are you teaching me in the midst of this chaos?"

Nevertheless, it was only in those moments when I knew deep in my bones that I was capable of experiencing life's lemons by bending and not breaking, by falling and not fainting. Through it all I had a choice...

• I could choose to feel myself falling and lay down...
• I could choose to fall down and not get back up...
• I could choose to find myself in the dark and not search for the light...
• I could choose to see my circumstances as the end or embrace them as the beginning of a new me.

In life we have two choices; complain about it or create it and be about it. 

The choice is yours...loath your life or love it. Dread your life or delight in it. Wallow in misery or walk through your fears. There is no such thing as try in a fearless/fulfilled life, either you want it or not. You create it or fall victim to your circumstances. You may be saying, "yes I know Catrice, but how do I do it." That's a fair, simple and yet complicated question. The answer will be different for each person but here's what I know works for me...This is how I RELEASE THE GENIUS WITHIN ME...

• FEAR is an illusion. It's not real (unless you are in immediate danger). Stop giving it so much power.
• LOVE is the answer to it all.  Love yourself, love others, love your work, love life and love should be at the source of everything you think, feel and do. (If you're not experiencing love you are experiencing fear, take back your power). 
• Decide how you want to be and how you want to live and start being and living it.
• Don't wait for approval, refuse to seek permission. Make a choice and step forward.
• Stop focusing on the what, how and when of your dreams or decisions and give all your energy to the why of it all. (why do you want this or that, why do you exist, why is your purpose or dream important etc.)
• Stop making life complicated. If you show up fully, be who you are, love what you do, serve the world, give back and live in love that's all you need to do to live a fulfilled life (anything else makes it complicated).
• It's your life, stop giving away your brilliance and power.
• Trust your genius! You know what you need so believe you deserve it and go for it!
• Life is too short to let other people decide your destiny. Don't give away your power because a power greater than you gave you everything you need to live a fearless and fulfilled life.

Now stop dreaming about it, talking about it, over-analyzing it, worrying about it, contemplating it and just do it, be it and live it! (whatever your heart desires!)

Ready to awaken the genius within you and manifest it all fearlessly? Grab your copy of The Art of Fear-Free Living today, the live brave guide to help you walk through your fears, stare them in the face and say bring it on and quiet that inner critic once and for all to live FREE, FEARLESS and Fulfilled!

All Rights Reserved. Catrice M. Jackson Emerge Consulting, LLC © 2011. (order your copy at the top of this page)

Catrice M. Jackson, MS, LMHP, LPC
International Empowerment Speaker, Fear-Free Living Expert and Author
Radio Show Personality / http://www.blogtalkradio.com/catriceology
http://www.catriceology.com
http://www.theartoffearfreeliving.com

What Game Are You Playing?

Heard a profound message today about the game of Monopoly which really for me is a societal symbol of the "Game of Life."

We start out with nothing and we spend the whole time playing the game with hope, desire, strategy, need, greed, excess, and acquisition.  We hustle, work, dream, manifest, gather, possess, conquer and if we are lucky and or skilled we win.  Whether we admit it or not we all want to land on, own and monopolize Park Place. And no matter how many apartments and houses there are on St. Charles Place it never is good enough because we can't stop thinking about the money we'd collect if those houses and apartments were on Boardwalk. When the game is over we scoop it all up and put it back in the box because after all "it" was here before we got here, it will be here when we are gone. The truth is it was never ours anyway...it was all an illusion



Isn't this true about our lives? We come into the world perfectly imperfect having everything we need to survive, hopefully thrive and live our lives.  Yet some where in the journey it isn't enough.  We want more, we think we need more and we use every fiber of our being to acquire more. The brainwashing begins early from Cinderella, to Snow White to the TV advertisements that subliminally convert us into commercial zombies who never get full and are always on the prowl for the next thing to conquer and devour.

Minute by minute, day by day and year after year this thing called media has consumed us in ways we are oblivious to.  What "they" say (experts, critics, leaders, spokespeople, researchers etc.) seems to have far more credence than our innate knowing of what we need. I've chosen to unsubscribe to the overload and overwhelming message that bombard us every where we turn. I limit the amount of messaging coming in from a variety of sources and it allows me to go inward and listen to the messages I really need to hear.

When I really think about the game of Monopoly I can see how it's intent and motive has been embedded in our minds and souls. It's kind of sad actually yet we have the power to do something about it. We have the choice to play a new game. If you stop and look at the industry you work in you can see who is playing Monopoly very clearly.  You can hear it in their tone, you can sense it in their messaging and if you are in their presence over the phone or in person you can feel it in your bones. I challenge you to become more aware of this Monopoly mentality and how it shows up in your life and the people you run with. You may even need to ask yourself the question "What kind of game are you playing in life?"

Reality hit for me today again...at the end of the day, when our time is up here on earth it all goes back into the box. I've already started to play a new game and boy does it feel liberating and peaceful. Yes I want to live a good life.  I want to be paid to do work I love. I want to help people and live in my version of prosperity but not at the sake of selling my soul, being dishonest, excluding others, and or compromising my core values. So as I blaze a new trail of spiritual enlightenment I'll continue to share with you the aha moments along the way.  Little nuggets of insight that might inspire you to find the courage to break away from the pack, resist the hype and follow the voice of your soul.  

Until next time...be brave, be bold, be fearless and just be YOU!

Catrice M. Jackson

Empowerment Speaker

Fear-Free Living Expert and Author

www.theartoffearfreeliving.com

www.catriceology.com

Mindset Does Not Trump the Power of a God Lesson

What I am about to say may ruffle the feathers of some of the mindset and Law of Attraction (LOA) coaches and experts out there....but....here we go!

Let me start with a disclaimer first... I believe in all the mindset and LOA theories, philosophy, concepts and strategies. I've used many of them myself to think my way out of doubt and fears, to attract opportunities, to open doors and move from stagnation and excuses to inspired action.  Yet...I've experienced something more deep and spiritually profound. I've experienced the power of God moving and directing my life in ways I did not imagine or desire yet I am grateful for these soul awakening experiences.

So let me start ruffling the feathers...

When God the ultimate teacher, the beginning and the end and the source of all abundance and manifestation steps in and picks up the pen that writes your life story there is no mindset strategy or LOA technique that can overwrite the power of God's pen.  We are all on a spiritual journey and our purpose here on earth is grander than coaching, speaking, marketing and working our businesses. Our purpose is divine and we were chosen to be here for a spiritual mission. 

Sometimes we lose focus of why we are here.  Sometimes we let self get in the way of God's divine plan for our lives. Some times we, as my grandmother would say, get too BIG for our britches. We begin to think "I did this, I created this, I control this, I can do this and that......and we forget why and how WE are able to do all that we do. In other words we let our ego take the driver's seat and put God in the passenger's seat.  This is the perfect recipe for a life disaster and certainly the way to accelerate a soul collision.

We just like men and women in the bible will experience trials and tribulations. We'll encounter defeat, despair and doubt and we may even experience what I call valley moments; times of darkness, uncertainty and confusion. These too are part of God's classroom--the place and space where he teaches us some of the most important and profound lessons we will ever learn.  How do I know because I've been in the valley many times and no matter what mindset strategy or LOA tactic I tried God whispered "I am in control so get out of the driver's seat and let me do what I do best." Sure these man-made strategies can alleviate some of the stress in the struggle and they can give us hope for better days but what I know for sure is that class is not dismissed until the ultimate teacher is finished with his lesson.

For those of us coaches, business owners and servicepreneurs who believe in God, the Divine or Spirit---let's stop fooling ourselves into to believing that our thoughts are more powerful than God's will, word, plan and lessons. When God is teaching us, enlightening us, stretching and molding us there is nothing we can do but trust what doesn't make sense or feel good and know that we will emerge from the valley wiser, stronger and more resilient. Besides if you believe that your presence and purpose here is Divine why wouldn't you believe that our master teacher may have to show us better than he can tell us?

Mindset does matter and it can be a powerful effective strategy in creating the desires of your heart.  The Law Of Attraction is fantastic too I love what tapping into it can produce in our lives. But the valley moments, our spiritual lessons and the University of G.O.D trump any coaching strategy out there.  Sometimes we have to experience our lessons this way because it's the only way we wake up and listen. It's the only way we learn how to put our ego in the back seat. It's the only way we are reminded who's really in control and why we are here. What I love about these sometimes painful and dark lessons is that it allows us to delve deeper into our soul's purpose, our divine calling and our global mission to serve the world. This is God's moment to talk to you...

At the end of the day it's not about us, it never has been and never will be. It's about us being shaped and molded into the "being" we are to become so we can show up, be real, speak our truth and tell our stories to inspire others to do the same. We must be careful as coaches, leaders and healers to not always tell people "you're in this situation because of your mindset." So NOT true all the time. And when we do this we somehow falsely empower ourselves to have power greater than what we really have. I don't care how gifted, talented and skilled you are as a coach...you'll never have that kind of power. This is especially true if and when we are serving believers of the most high. We must honor their beliefs and be a guide as they take a seat in the classroom of G.O.D University. I've chosen to let God do what he does, when he wants to do it and how it needs to be done. 

Here's what I've learned about my valley moments...

1. Realize when you are in the valley.
2. Learn the difference between your own self-imposed detour and the detour of spiritual enlightenment.
3. Surrender to the cosmic lesson. Accept it is where you are suppose to be at the time.
4. Resist the temptation to struggle. Focus your energy on being open and willing to hear the message on a deep cellular level.

6. Seek the lesson, get the lesson, apply it to your life immediately and share the lesson with the world.
7. Think with your soul, speak from your soul and live from your soul.
8. Don't emotionally and mentally beat yourself up...that will keep you there longer.
9. Get still and quiet. Reconnect with God. Honor is power. Read. Study. Pray. Meditate.
10. Be fearless, trust the process, settle in, set up camp and just be.

And yes think positive and be optimistic. Focus your thoughts on the outcome not the situation. Give your energy to becoming better, wiser and more aware of the spiritual reason you are here and the purpose for your life.  I now take a front row seat, bring plenty of paper and pens, listen with intent and study hard so I can get the lesson and past the test of faith, courage, and resiliency....when I do this I always ace the course and am more prepared for the next lesson sure to come.

So if you are in the valley let me affirm for you that it may not feel good but you are there for a reason.  A positive mindset will provide more ease and grace in the journey and the Law of Attraction will help you manifest your desires. Know this and use the strategies often yet know that you may not emerge from the valley until you've really gotten the message, learned the lesson and transformed from the inside out on a deep soul level and all at Godspeed. You will emerge and soar higher into the soul purpose for your life.

No matter what be brave, courage and fear not the valley...it's where you get your wings! 

Catrice M. Jackson 
Empowerment Speaker and Fear-Free Living Expert
Ready to LIVE BRAVE?

Learn how to master the art of fear-free living here.

Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones...

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." I can clearly see myself standing on the school yards of Irving and Crescent Park elementary schools saying those words and doing it with sass. Back then I really thought I threw up a serious shield and believed "those" words didn't hurt me. Today, I realize they did. How about this one "it takes one to know one (giggle)." Or "I know you are but what am I?" Those were weapons back in the day. Tools we as girls used to attempt to block the verbal blows put out by other girls.  We thought we were really doing something back then, standing with our hands on our hips, waving our finger and shouting out the cliches of girlhood games.  I can laugh at it now but I remember how much drama this caused in the cliques of elementary school.

These were real moments in time and unfortunately many women are still scarred by those verbal blows to the spirit. They are real moments today we've just gotten a little more sophisticated about how we do it. Oh yes the mean girl games still exist in 2011 and grown up women are playing hard yet pretending they don't play. Today we use savvy statements like "she's not on my level, she doesn't play big enough, it (she) doesn't resonate with me or  my purpose, and too many to name.  Bet you've heard these and probably said them yourself right? Um...huh...tell the truth.  I've said them many times but with good intention (yeah right, that's what we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel better). We are so savvy these days that one of our favorite weapons is to ignore another woman and not say a word.  Yep, we simply act as if she doesn't exist no matter how hard she tries to engage with us.  Different tactic same result.

Today I am more mindful when the urge to speak these words comes up. I stop to think what is the intention or motive behind it. I ask myself  "is there something I am afraid of?" Sometimes an answer comes to mind and other times it doesn't, but I'm still careful to not throw out verbal blows just because I have "the right to speak my mind." So what's up with this type of behavior? Why do we do this?

Have our ego's gotten so big? Do we forget where we really come from? Does it make us feel good? Or are we afraid of something.............I'm going out on a limb to say we just may be afraid.  You see fear is at the root of so many things that you'd be surprised.  When we envy another woman we fear we won't be able to be who she is or have what she has.  When we are jealous of another woman we fear that what she has will make her more popular and we will go un-noticed.  When we fail to acknowledge another woman's success we fear by promoting her her success will rise. When we ignore another woman reaching out to us we fear that our clique friends will wonder why we are hanging out with the no body's.  Oh yes my friend, fear is lurking underneath all these school yard games, believe it. I've felt all of the above and participated in it before and now realize how it de-values who I am and the recipient of those passive and aggressive sticks and stones.

Here's the NAKED truth. When you strip down and take off all the masks, titles and outer adornments your heart pumps like every other woman.  You breathe the same kind of air.  You deal with the same kind of ups and downs in life.  And oh yes when the "guru, expert, in-girl, or superstar" wipes off her makeup and puts on her PJ's she looks just like you.  So ladies...let's keep it real. It doesn't matter if your playing on the big field with bright lights or the school yard, the game is the same. Isn't it time for a new game? The game of integrity and consciousness?

There's a new way to be, to live, to act and show up in the world. Are you ready? Or will you let fear be your game board? To be continued...

Catrice M. Jackson
Fear-Free Living Expert, Speaker & Coach
http://www.theartoffearfreeliving.com
http://www.catriceology.com

Allow the Magic of Courage to Unleash Your Geni(us)!

If you are anything like me, I bet there have been times when you wished you had a Genie who would grant you three amazing wishes or more.  I bet you’ve longed for the magical pill that would make everything all right.  I even bet that you wish you could snap your fingers and create the life you dream of.  How do I know, because I’ve wished for all those things several times in my life and became fustrated and dismayed when they did not show up. I’ve even begged God to please fix it, make it better, show me the way and or give me a sign.  My wishes were granted but not in ways that I expected and often the answers or wishes were disguised in turmoil, darkness and or despair.  I soon realized that the blessing was in the mess and the clarity emerged from chaos.  Are you still waiting on a sign, an “aha” moment and or a gold-lantern to land in your lap?  You may get the sign and if you are aware you’ll experience “aha” moments but unfortunately the genie bottle or gold-lantern is not coming any time soon.  This I am certain of yet there is something magical about to happen in your life if you allow it to.

The truth about fear is that it will always be a part of your life.  The truth about fear is that it is a most often a future state of mind.  The truth about fear is that the best weapon against it is love.  The truth about fear is that it is powerful beyond measure.  The final truth about fear is that love of yourself, love of life, love for other people and love for the world can diminsh the power of fear and afford you more peace, joy, ease and grace in your life.  The truth about you is that you can choose to be fearless by living in the now moment, you can choose to love and accept who you are in your core and you can choose love when fear steps in.

It’s time for you to break free from the tightly woven fibers of fear and emerge into the world confident, free and liberated.  As you continue on this journey of living fearless always know that you have three powerful companions.  When you feel afraid put your hand on your heart and summon and awaken your Geni(us), activate your courage compass and call forth your champion.  You’ll learn more about these three power choices in The Art of Fear-Free Living. Keep taking steps in the dark and know I am with you and send you love and light.  Trust yourself because you are the Geni(us) so strap on your boxing gloves of love and get ready! Get ready to be challenged, stretched, and expanded because it’s your time to break free.  It’s your moment soar above and beyond your fears.  Be brave and allow the magic of courage to unleash your Geni(us)...

Excerpt from the book, The Art of Fear-Free Living: Awaken Your Geni(us)

Order your copy today!

Catrice M. Jackson

Speaker, Fear-Free Living Expert and Author

http://www.theartoffearfreeliving.com/

© 2011Emerge Consulting, LLC.  All rights reserved.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any electronic system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.  Brief quotations may be used in literary reviews.

Get Naked and Liberate Your Life

Go ahead admit it you feel FREE when you are naked. Even if you don't like what you physically see, being naked is for the most part a very comfortable and natural space and place to be in, would you agree? Why wouldn't it be, it's the way we came into this world.  My body is certainly not perfect, never will be and it really is something I desire. I've always been bigger than most of my friends, been chubby, healthy, thick and maybe even overweight to some.  Thank God for inner strength because I've heard my share of comments about my weight.  Still when naked I feel free although it happens only when showering or getting dressed.

So what's the talk about being naked you are wondering...well when is the last time you got mentally, emotionally and or spiritually naked? When's the last time you didn't identify yourself as woman, man, wife, coach, speaker, entrepreneur or other titles? When's the last time you didn't use words to describe who you are or let go of all the labels you put on who you are?  I did that weeks ago.  For seven days straight I stood in the mirror butt-bone naked and really looked at myself. I gently without judgment looked at every curve, dimple, scar, stretch mark and piece of cellulite.  I looked at myself from every angle and looked deep in my eyes to see into my soul.  For 7 days I asked myself very pointed questions like "who are you really, what's in your heart, what is your soul longing for, what do you need to be forgiven for etc." My body, my heart and my soul spoke to me; sometimes loudly and other times I could barely hear the response.  For 7 days with paper in hand I wrote down the responses, wrote the experience in the journal and set intentions for the day.

Whew! What a provoking, raw, real, sad and liberating experience that was.  Yes, I got NAKED for 7 days and learned more about myself than I had in  a long time.  I got NAKED and finally could hear what my mind, body and soul have been trying to say for a long time.  I got NAKED and allowed the brilliant woman within to speak her mind.  I got NAKED and peeled away the veils that kept a piece of me hidden from the world.  Oh am I glad I got naked...

I've always been pretty bold, outspoken and authentic but these 7 days have allowed me to shake off the expectations of the world and release a new me; a me that loves to be free! 

Now I'm taking 20 women on this journey of authenticity, freedom and personal power.  I giggle when I imagine what they are experiencing.  I smile because I know they are releasing their SHero.  My heart sings because I feel the heavy burden of fear, shame, guilt and doubt being lifted from their spirits.  I am humbled because they've trusted me with their lives.  I'm grateful because God gave me the gift of compassion in action and everyday I wake up and show up to elevate the lives of humanity. 

I know these women will be more wise, strong, liberated, inspired and free at the end of this 7-day course.  I know they will be ready for more.  They will expect more, demand more, command more and seek more of what they desire out of life and they will receive it because they are brave.

I'm looking forward to the next group of 20 women to start the course for FREE on May 2, 2011.  Will you be one of the 20, there are spaces left but only if you are ready to commit to the 7-day course.  If you'd like to get NAKED and free yourself visit http://www.catriceology.com/ and claim your set for the next Get NAKED 7-day Mini-Course.  It's time you get NAKED and liberate your life.

I hope to see you in the next course and if you are not ready to Get NAKED maybe you know someone who is so do share the opportunity. If you are ready to live fear-free grab your copy of The Art of Fear-Free Living by visiting http://www.theartoffearfreeliving.com/

Until we meet again,
Just live your life and make sure it's absolutely, fearlessly delicious!

Catrice M. Jackson

Fear-Free Living Expert, Speaker, Author and Radio Show Host

http://www.theartoffearfreeliving.com/

All Rights Reserved. Catrice M. Jackson Emerge Consulting, LLC © 2011.