Hello!

I am popping into your mailbox because you subscribed to my list or downloaded some of my books or resources.

In my previous two emails, I explained that I was switching email providers, starting fresh with my list, and reintroducing myself and what I do. I am also in the process of transformation. This process is both exciting and messy (ha!).

Today, I wanted to share a moment of clarity about the reinvention process. You know, when you feel you have outgrown your job, home, relationships, or even your entire life. You are moved to begin making changes when things don't seem aligned or don't seem to be working anymore.

A famous quote by Anais Nin, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom," got me thinking (like, who doesn't want to blossom?) She has many others, and I am now leaning into this one.

"Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we must go through. Where people fail is when they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death."

I refuse to stay where it doesn't feel good. I've got that t-shirt. No, thank you. That lesson was learned. This time around, I hope to take a bit of a shortcut.

Here is what I have learned in reflection while enjoying the biggest life purge ever. (While I was to be in Iceland on vacation, instead I am home purging. While that doesn't sound all too fun, I am finding this purge clarifying and pretty damn juicy good. I had to figure out some way to turn that disappointment around!)

1. There may come a time when your systems break down, your goals shift (or you lose them altogether) and you find yourself sitting in limbo waiting for ... you do not quite know exactly. You just know "this" is not it. That's okay. Sit in it for a bit. Do some journaling/free writing; you may be surprised by what hits the paper.
2. This is where I am at. I do not find this feeling particularly fantastic, but I also know it is temporary because I am in control of making a move (in some cases, any move is better than none at all). I've got some lined up!
3. When you do declare a direction, you will need new systems. Systems that support the reinvented life, self, etc. The old systems become obstacles.
4. Stop defending beliefs for a minute and examine them and their origins. Sometimes, what you defend IS the obstacle.
5. Close tabs. Stop doing the things that do not matter to you. Create space, but do not think you must immediately fill it with something new. Just enjoy the space. Having space actually changes how you move through your days! (Surprise lesson!)
6. Let chapters close in your life. Move on to new things.
7. When rebuilding and reinventing, remember to make the rebuild and systems sustainable. For this, I am putting my life/business through the "two-week vacation test." Could I leave it all for two weeks and it not blow apart at the seams? (And this also means I do not need to work like a mad woman before stepping away, making sure everyone else is going to be okay without me.)
8. Reinvention requires courage.

Missing Iceland and having the space to confront the fires in my life has been a blessing. I am getting excited. That fire in my belly is burning, and I see my life with fresh eyes. (P.S. It is still messy).

Something to Think About

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” James Clear

1. Where can you establish systems that support more effortless progress toward your goal? (For example, doing this little thing daily will reap huge rewards.)
2. How do you want life to feel?
3. What can you let go of to bring in new energy, opportunities, experiences and space?
4. What chapter needs to be closed?

Until Next Time,

Jennifer Sparks, B.Ed., M.S., PGD

www.stokepublishing.com

www.jennifersparks.ca

LINKS:

Jennifer's Course and Resources

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JENNIFER SPARKS, Life Strategist + Speaker

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