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.

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.

Awaken the Geni(us) Within...

I've always known there was a powerful SHero within but many times I kept her at bay or didn't not fully embrace her power.  How about you do you sense the SHero within you? She whispers to you, she shouts at you, she "calls" you and she waits for you.  Regardless of whether you listen to her or not she is there, patiently waiting for you to rub on your heart 3 times and liberate her.  This is not about "hocus pocus" or some fantasy illusion, this is real talk.  Awakening your SHero simply means you finally start listening to that wise voice inside who knows exactly how you feel, what you need and what you desire. 

In my book, The Art of Fear-Free Living, I talk about the difference between your ShEgo and your SHero.  Your ShEgo is your inner critic, that voice inside that tells you that you can't or shouldn't.  It's the voice of competition and masculinity.  The ShEgo is relentless in "proving to you and others that you are worthy." When you are living from a ShEgo space you push, force, struggle, compete and are driven to "make it happen" in your life.  The SHero however, is your wise eye, that loving/gentle voice of femininity that tells you, you don't have to prove a thing, because you are phenomenal just the way you are.  When you are listening to and living from your SHero's voice life has less struggle and you experience more ease and grace!

Your SHero is your Geni(us), the all knowing, wise, gentle, compassionate, graceful voice and mindset that helps you show up in the world authentically without struggle.  The journey towards awakening your Geni(us) is yours and the steps towards fearless living are unique to you.  As you take steps towards your desired life listen more to your SHero because your ShEgo will talk you out of taking action and tell you that you are not worthy.  Listen to your SHero because has no intentions of sabotage, competition or pressure.  Lastly, listen to your SHero because that's where the power to create, dream, manifest and love comes from. 

I invite you to start a new journey today...

"Prepare to embark upon a magical soul journey to discover, embrace, release and celebrate the powerful brilliance of your inner Geni(us).  Sprinkled with life empowerment tips, inspirational quotes and fearless living strategies, you'll be inspired to summon your inner Genie and courageously grant your every command and the desires of your heart.  The Art of Fear-Free Living is your gold-lantern moment to break free from the captivity of fear, re-create your life story and liberate your life and dreams."

“Hop on your magic carpet, take a deep breath, trust yourself and let the magical awakening begin.”

Be brave, be bold, be courageous and release your SHero, the Genie you've been waiting for has been with you all along!  Let the magic begin, master The Art of Fear-Free Living!

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.

Are You Seeking the Proof of Truth?

Many people expend a lot of mental, emotional and spiritual energy seeking FEAR (false-evidence-appearing-real).  They look for the proof that they are inadequate, undeserving, and or unworthy.  They wallow in fear, doubt, worry, hesitation, and procrastination.  Why would people do this you may ask?  Because it's familiar, it's comfortable and it's easier than being brave and looking for the proof of truth. 

While coaching the 5 new participants in my 6-week Art of Fear-Free Living course, I recall one of the participants focusing on the fear of being successful.  I asked her to take some time to think about and write down 10 past moments when she was successful.  She was excited to know there was the possibility that she was a success.  A simple exercise she performed with profound rewards!  Why is it so easy to look for defeat in our lives and difficult to seek the proof of truth?  We've become trained to look for the negative instead of being courageous enough to seek the positive, the brilliance within us.  I encouraged her to find one thing everyday that she has been successful at and to celebrate it.  This will help her develop the habit of looking for the greatness within herself and learn how to celebrate her genius.  I have no doubt she will incorporate this small action in her life that will help her take BIG leaps in her journey towards mastering the Art of Fear-Free Living. 

Mastering the Art of Fear-Free Living is simply a journey of truth.  A journey where you seek, discover, embrace, speak, live and share the truth about who you are, why you are here and what you were created to be and do in the world.  What are you giving your mental, emotional and spiritual energy to?

Which one is true of you?  Are you intentionally or subconsciously seeking False Evidence Appearing Real or are you seeking the proof of truth?  The truth that you are wise, brilliant, loving, successful and resilient.  The truth that you deserve love, success and happiness.  The truth that you are worthy of prosperity, fulfillment and life satisfaction.  Maybe you should do this simply profound exercise, maybe you need some proof that you are a brilliant genius who knows exactly what you need.

Take some time today and think about your life and make your proof lists and then use them as fuel to light the fire within you to begin mastering the Art of Fear-Free Living.

1.  List 10 moments you created, experienced and were responsible for the success in your life.

2.  List 10 reasons why you deserve love, success and happiness.

3.  List 10 moments when you were wise, brilliant and allowed your genius to shine.

If you desire to live more courageous and BE brave in your life you must stop focusing on FEAR (false-evidence-appearing-real) and intentionally with every fiber of your being begin focusing on creating, seeking and celebrating the PROOF OF TRUTH.  Mastering the Art of Fear-Free Living is all about a choice.  You must move beyond thinking about it and be about it.  That means quit dreaming about being fearless and instead get up, take a step, step in the dark if you have to, fail or succeed and keep taking steps. 

You can do it, I know you can if you choose...and seek the truth with each courageous step!

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.