To Be Authentic…
As I was listening to Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, over the past few weeks, several times I felt inclined to pause and write a blog post for you. As life moves rapidly and 99% of my Audible time is while I'm driving or deep into cooking, I would mentally note this and keep going.
Taking this moment to insert, I HIGHLY recommend Girl, Wash Your Face! Rachel read her book for the recording and I felt her authenticity, her true, deep caring. Regardless of your religious views, this book offers genuine, warm support.
Well, I completed her, over the top, straight to my heart, from Rachel's heart, book this morning and have pondered all day how I could make time to sit here and commune with you. I was so busy with fulfilling responsibilities and getting frustrated and depressed at how much I have to do and all I want to do is steal away to a beach and write. (I know, I will take any reason to steal away to a beach. Just the same, my frustration was REAL).
When I got home from teaching, the kitchen still had to be cleaned and the next meal planned and prepared before heading out for evening classes. So, I started my next Audible selection, Big Magic Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert, and one of the first stories she conveys is how important it is to follow our 'nudges'. It was all I could do to not hold my breath. So here I am, carving out a few minutes to at least begin this post and I'm having computer issues. So be gracious with my misaligned image and unruly post. I'm following the nudges and putting this imperfect post out into the world.
Toward the end of her book Rachel states, 'You can effect change.'. I know this. I believe this and this belief is why I followed my heart and founded I Am Priceless, Inc. She shares the importance of following your dreams, giving yourself permission and to ask the important questions necessary for setting the priorities to make your dreams REALITY. The questions aren't outlandish, new or show stopping. They are basic, essential and the foundation for living life on purpose. My coaches have asked me these same questions over the years. Here they are.
Who Am I?
Where Do I Want to Go?
How Am I Going to Get There?
I am Regina Rowley. I Am Priceless. I am the Founder of a nonprofit. I am a speaker. I am a teacher. I am a writer. I am the change I wish to see, (at least most of the time), I am my husband's wife, I am my children's mother, and as of this year I am Gigi to Brantley. Each of these roles define who I am and come with responsibilities.
Where Do I Want to Go? My deepest, unrelenting drive right now is to move I Am Priceless, Inc. forward and hold our first Transformative Retreat. I want to travel and take I Am Priceless, Inc. out into the world offering hope, empowering and enriching survivors so they see and feel themselves #healingforward. I want to have a beach house and go there often.
How Am I Going to Get There? This question gives me pause. I thought I knew. But as life ebbs and flows, change is constant. Finding a solid foundation and rising above the challenges of a start-up organization are taking longer than I want or anticipated. While I don't know what I don't know, I know I need the wisdom of leaders who have walked this startup road before me and are able to step alongside me. I need guidance and I need those who are able to be part of the solutions when problems surface. So to begin to answer this critical question, I am going to find these wise souls and glean from them. Then I am going to find leaders who are ready to run with me and plan, fund, invite attendees and special teachers and manifest my dream for the I Am Priceless Transformative Retreat. I am going to continue talking about this fantastic organization and help those who are within my circle of influence understand their worth. I am going to help my students embrace self love and self grace.
How am I going to get there? Honestly, I'm going to keep learning; keep extending grace to myself and others; and keep asking for help. From my perspective, these are essential, foundational steps. And soon, I am going to be on here shouting from the roof tops, announcing our first, and then second, and then our annual Transformative Retreat.
Why you ask? Because I spent the first 50 years of my life living in fear, and blaming myself for every unfortunate event I didn't see, or manage, to prevent. And I'll be damned if I'm going to spend the next 50 that way. Why? Because our world is filled with women who continue to swing from one triggering experience to the next. They are struggling, blaming themselves and many wonder how they can keep going. Because I know the tools I have found to help me #healforward are not unique to me and others will benefit by having them too.
Why? Because #metoo is so much deeper, wider and more profound than a hashtag. #metoo is the beginning of a movement of solidarity, strength, support and sisterhood.
In being authentic, my heart is hurting. Hurting for those who suffer alone. Hurting for those who lash out at me, because they don't understand my strength. Hurting for those who see their lives shifting and they feel out of control. Hurting because I'm so damn tired of walking this walk alone.
So I'm putting it out there. I'm speaking the need. I'm looking for authentic sisterhood, for those who are ready to link arms, roll up their sleeves, to be the solution, or at least help find the solutions, and help me move I Am Priceless, Inc. from startup to thriving nonprofit. Maybe this is you. Maybe it's not.
Just the same, I hope you will feel inclined to share this post. Help me connect with those who just might share my heart and be part of the change. Contact Me!
The time is now. We CAN do this. I am so grateful for you and the time you made to read my ramblings.
The light in me sees and honors the light in you. Hugs!
THANK YOU for following your nudge to write this. It blessed my soul and came right on time. Sharing this!
You are very welcome Adorah! I’m grateful you found value in it.
Love and grace, Regina