Be true to yourself
I am a helper. When I was younger, my phone always rang. Someone always wanted help with something.
What made you decide to finally realize your lifelong dream?
I lived a very high stressed life and I wasn’t really taking good care of myself, but felt there was little I would do about it. Between my job, school and my kids, I barely had enough time to sleep, let alone worry about what I was eating or doing to stay active. Then one day a visit to the doctor revealed just how much of a toll my life was taking on my body. The news hit me hard. I knew it was time to start looking for some kind of balance in my life…or else I wouldn’t be around to enjoy it much longer.
I began researching and educating myself about ways to stay healthy. I practiced yoga, developed a spiritual practice, exercised and started developing a passion for wellness. As I journeyed on my path and started taking care of myself, I began to look and feel better.
Eventually I enrolled at Coach University, followed by training for a Guiding Mindful Change coach certification with Active Living Every Day. I also attended the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City, to deepen what I was learning, and to dive into the science behind holistic eating and healing. To pull it all together, I completed a Masters degree in Spiritual Psychology.
When I started consulting with people I found that a lot of the issues start with the mind. Losing weight, stress, it mostly starts in the mind. As a whole living consultant, people have all the tools inside them that they need no matter what they are going through.
As I was helping people, I was helping myself. It was like a mirror. I became so aware from the work that I was doing. Over time I got such an awareness. I was able to heal some of my own issues. Just seeing someone get a handle on things knowing that it comes from the inside out and not something that they needed to buy was an epiphany.
What were the specific obstacles that you faced?
In fear there are feelings of unworthiness, negative self-talk and self-doubt. I had all of those. Even though I always say I do what I have to do, the fear kept me from really being the true person I needed to be. Inside, I had a lot of fear of people judging me. Fear kept me from doing things to the level I could have. When I released the fear, there was nothing inside of me that stopped me.
To get the required education, it involved going out of town with two children. I lost friends along the way and I didn’t understand what was going on. In the past, I realized I wanted people and everybody to support what I did. I recognized I was on a different path. It seemed it ran its course and I felt like my life was falling apart.
That can happen when you start evolving and becoming aware. When I was in my 30s, my health was bad. The more I evolved, the better my health became.
What helped you get through them?
My faith got stronger as well as my trust that the Universe will work things out. I learned how to trust. I learned that I could and got more courage to do the things that are hard. I had to work hard to get the things I have.
I have always had kids. I could have easily used them as an excuse and say, ‘I have kids so I can’t do it.’ It wasn’t easy. I had a lot of challenges, but I figured it out, and did it anyway.
Were there people who tried to discourage you?
I have been single for a long time. Some men I dated didn’t understand what I was doing. I work in an international environment. The way I navigate my life, I don’t have to be in the company of one group of people, I’m open to life and I am deep into spirituality, but not part of any organized religion. I listen to different spiritual teachers.
People who didn’t understand and just didn’t get it used to discourage me. I learned that I’m in this world on my own journey. I am the only one on this journey.
How did you feel when you finally accomplished your lifelong dream?
It was pure joy that I am in the place where I can truly be of service and help someone for their highest good. I can be void of the fear, self-doubt and negative self-talk. I can be with someone and help them move in a more positive direction. It took navigating through a lot of my personal challenges to get to the place where I can truly be of service.
I experience joy and happiness all the time. It comes from me, not from anybody else.
What I recognize is that when I’m of service and have my life flow in a certain direction, I have everything I need.
What advice would you give to others who are contemplating finally living their dream?
Be true to yourself…whatever that means. Just be true to who you are and what you need to be in this life. You may have that discomfort in you that everybody gets who is not living their authentic life. Sit still and listen. You don’t have to do anything. Try those things that feel good to you.
Be quiet, sit still enough to receive. What’s resonating with you?
To learn more about Diane and how she helps others, click here.
No comments yet.