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

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.

The Power of Your Pen: You are the author of your story!

Life is one BIG story and the world is creating the novel of humanity in every moment.  Every single thought we have, feeling we express or repress, and every action we take or do not take is creating the story of our lives. We are either creating our stories through the power of our love pen or our fear pen.  When we author our stories in fear we deny our story to be filled with happiness and a zest for life.  Our fear pen writes in the shadows and doesn't allow the light in our lives to shine though. Our fear pen really never allows to write a new chapter in our lives because it only knows how to write in and re-write the horror, pain and suffering of the past.  If the fear pen is able to create a new chapter it fills the pages with the same ole drama, misery, self-sabotaging recollections of the bad and the ugly and rarely the good. 

Now our love pen, that's a whole new literary genius.  It has a power of its own and creates words of lyrical delight on the white pages of our lives.  The love pen writes from a place of forgiveness, acceptance and gratitude for all that is good and bad in our lives.  The love pen holds no grudges, it is free from the captivity of the past bondage in our lives.  The love pen knows that what happened to us is not who we are but events that happened in our lives.  The love pen is brave, courageous and seeks to share the authenticity of who we are deep in our souls.  The story of our lives written with the love pen speak the truth, embraces every part of who we are, honors our experiences and allows us to celebrate the light in all situations.

Your pen comes in the form of the thoughts you think, the actions you take and the words you speak.  The life you live is the result of the story you tell yourself, others and the stories that live in your heart.  If you are living in fear you will think, speak, feel and behave fearfully. Fear shows up as doubt, worry, anxiety, panic, shame, guilt, procrastination, denial, immobilization and a long list of other things that keep you captive within your own skin. When you live in  love it shows up as confidence, trust, acceptance, faith, action, movement and ultimately knowing all may not be perfect but all is well.

Creating your life with your love pen takes more work and of course courage but the journey and the ending is so much more fulfilling.  The choice is yours.  Live and create in fear or live and create in love; it's that simple.  In every second of your life you are creating not only your story but the legacy you'll leave for your children and their children.  What story do you want BE, LIVE, CREATE and  leave behind?

If you want to live different, better, bigger, more joyful -- then stop telling the sob stories, the pity stories, the "I live in the past" stories and all the other stories that DEFEAT your greatness and dim your light.  Take back your power today and start telling stories of love, courage, victory, success and see how your life will dramatically change.

I hope you choose to pick up a new, powerful pen today.  The pen of love and create the life you dream of, a life that fulfills you, a life that makes you and your family proud...a life that you love.

(this is an excerpt from my new book on facing your fears to be released in late Spring 2011) If you'd like to be on the book release list please visit this website.

a magical journey of courage coming soon!

BE FEARLESS!
May God be with you on your journey...

Follow my blog for more real-life stories in my journey, the journey of others and inspirational life empowerment strategies to help you wake up your champion within.

Catrice M. Jackson, the Courage Coach™
International Keynote Speaker and Author
America's Delicious Life Expert™
For booking and coaching information visit my website. http://www.catriceology.com/

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

The Truth Will Set You Free Yet Facing it Takes Courage

Since the beginning of time human beings have sought the truth and went above and beyond their perceived capabilities to discover it. I've always been a curious woman; a woman on a relentless quest of the truth, my truth. 

Instead of making New Year's resolutions for 2011, I decided to choose one word that would be the intention for the rest of my life.  I chose the word truth.  In truth there is fear.  In truth there is worry, doubt and anxiety.  Yes, the truth and seeking it can be a daunting and scary.  But there is something greater, more profound and enlightening in discovering the truth.  In truth there is liberation, clarity, and direction.  Once we clear out the fogginess of the fear of the truth the path to who we are to become is opened.  The chapter once lingering open can be closed. The heaviness of the unknowing is lifted. 

In seeking, discovering and knowing the truth we are set free! Although we may experience some pain or discomfort in seeking the truth, once it's revealed to us we can let go, embrace our reality and know that simply in seeking the truth we are brave.  A week ago I did a DNA paternity test with my alleged father.  He was the only man I'd ever known to be my father.  I'd waited 41 years to know this truth.  I thought about discovering the truth several times in my life but didn't have the courage to face the truth.  I was afraid.  I was afraid not to necessarily know but more afraid of what would happen to the relationship I had with my mother if he was not.

After finding my birth certificate in January 2011 (it took 41 years) another truth milestone, I discovered two more truths.  I had lived most of my life as a Johnson (before marriage) but legally I was someone else.  Last November I celebrated my birthday on the 17th yet discovered this year I was born on the 18th.  Wow! the truth is something else but without knowing it we will always remain in the "unknowing" of life. I'm not angry, I don't blame anyone and besides aren't those just numbers and dates?  They don't define who I am or determine the value that I bring to the world. 

Back to my father story.  Today I found out that there is a 0% chance that "he" my alleged father could be my father and he is not my father. This story of truth is bittersweet.  It's bitter because I would have liked for this part of the journey to end here.  The sweet part is that there is one more potential father option.  I may just discover in this journey of truth that my best friend of 20+ years, may be in fact my 1st cousin.  If this is true, I've been with my family all along and that is deliciously sweet.  God works in mysterious ways and he knows what we need all the time.

One thing is 100% the truth...I've never been fatherless, the greatest father any woman could have is our heavenly father who loved me before I was conceived, cared for me as I grew and loves me unconditionally no matter what.  Thank you father God, I love you!

The journey of truth continues...

My hope for you...is that you too begin your journey of truth no matter what it is.  It may feel scary and you may be afraid but BE COURAGEOUS IN THE MIDST OF FEAR.  Every step towards fear decreases its power. Every courageous action makes you more fearless. When you are afraid give your energy to this question---"what do I need to conquer this fear" ---instead of becoming paralyzed by the fear. The more resources and support you have as you face the fear increases the courage you'll have to be a courageous champion! 


BE FEARLESS!
May God be with you on your journey...

Follow my blog for more real-life stories in my journey, the journey of others and inspirational life empowerment strategies to help you wake up your champion within.

Catrice M. Jackson, the Courage Coach™
International Keynote Speaker and Author
America's Delicious Life Expert™
For booking and coaching information visit my website. http://www.catriceology.com/

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