Month: September 2013

31 Day Butterfly Journey, the butterfly journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: Change

livingwholecoaching

Well I’m back!  I had a challenging 2 weeks recently and had to take time to deal with the situations that presented themselves in my life.  I don’t like dealing with challenges, especially those that cause me discomfort (most people are probably the same), but I have learned that I must face those challenges in order to move forward and not get stuck in a place of discouragement or defeat.

change1I’m learning that placing my struggles in the hands of God can shorten the process or challenge that I am facing.  It’s hard to relinquish your troubles, but I am realizing now that it is well worth it in the end.  God gives me the answers or supplies my needs in each situation and then I can breathe again.

Change is a very hard subject for some (me included), but change most times is a result of things that come into our lives either for the better or for the worse.  It is not always something great that happens to make us look at change, sometimes it’s something bad that has caused us to really look at change in a whole new light.

For me its my health.  I suffer from diabetes and all its little minions that follow along with it; hypertension, high cholesterol, and all kinds of different ailments.

This past week my fiancé and I were on vacation in the mountains of Massanutten VA, just relaxing and enjoying the scenery.  We both realized almost at the same moment that we need to live a healthier life.

I am not sure if it was because of the beauty of the environment or if it was the lazy feeling that settled over us after we had a wonderful fat-laden meal each day, but something just sparked a burning desire to take care of the one body that God gave us.

Change isn’t always easy, and sometimes it’s a matter of life or death and as the old saying goes; “old habits die hard”, but they do die if you decide that it’s time for them to go!   So I am going to give my old unhealthy habits notice that they will have to go, go to a grave where they can no longer have control of my life or health.  They have to go so that I can live and fulfill my God-given destiny.  They have to go so that I can see my grandchildren grow up.  They have to go so that I can have a medication free life without all the side affects that surely will give me an early funeral of my own life.

If there is something that you need (or want) change for in your life today, then declare and decree it in the name of Jesus that it has to go!  Don’t be afraid of failure, just keep trying!  We will give you all the encouragement that we can and when the results start to show you will be so delighted that you decided to make that change!  It’s not always going to be easy to face each new challenge, but it can be done!

What is the one change that you would like to see in your life?  Let’s change together, we CAN do it!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

31 Day Butterfly Journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: Refresh!

livingwholecoaching

refreshWow what a challenging day!  Every where I turned there was some situation that was rearing its ugly head trying to sap the life out of those that I care about and love, even me!  I started to get frustrated, like why God not one more thing?!  But in my journey of learning from life’s lessons, I stopped myself and my mind from going any place other than to the one I know can change our future.

I often wondered how people that face a life altering threat can withstand the uncertainty of their situation.  It amazes me how some face their challenges head on, never wavering to consider “why me”; they just keep on moving forward to see what lies ahead of them.  I have witnessed people that have held on so tightly to their faith that nothing that came would shake them.  How do they do it?  What motivates them to face health issues, and sometimes death everyday and not get tired of the pain, the changes, or the limitations?

Well I tell you what one friend told me; she said “I do get tired, sad, and even wanting to give up”, but she said “I can’t”.  I said, “what makes you keep going then”?  She said “it’s the love of God”.  Explain I said, well she began it’s like this, “every time I can’t take anymore of my situation God comes and refreshes me”.  I asked; “how does He do that”? “By taking the pain away or making the situation better for a day or so”? She said, “no not really, it’s more internal (more to do with my heart and spirit)”.  Wow! ” You are telling me that by God refreshing your heart and spirit allows you to go on another day?!”  She said, “yes”!

I took her wisdom and placed it in my heart for such a day like today.  I was even able to pour into someone else that was going through and we both shared a tear or two, but our spirits were okay. . . they were refreshed!

So no matter the circumstance ask God to refresh your heart and spirit.  Begin to praise Him in the midst of your storm and see if He will not only refresh you, but He will restore you to a place in Him that nothing can touch, not even the negative reports or feelings that you may have.  He is greater than anything that we face.  Yet we still may have to face our challenges and sometimes they may seem daunting to us, just know for sure that God will refresh you!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

31 Day Butterfly Journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: Go for It!

livingwholecoaching

Go For It!Well it’s no secret (or maybe it is) that I have a problem with procrastination!  It really is almost like a disease.  You get stuck in a place of not doing anything and you can’t or won’t move forward.  That’s me!  I hate to really admit my shortcomings before the world, but this is what this journey is all about, sharing my life’s struggles and triumphs so it gives wings to someone else.

I have a HUGE opportunity coming up in the next couple of weeks.  I really want to do it, but I am a little afraid of the outcome.  I feel so passionate about it that I can’t let it just go by the wayside.  Oh my what should I do?  I have weighed the pros and cons and I think I am going to GO FOR IT!  If I have nothing to lose (maybe a few dollars), but a LOT to gain, then why not?

What do you all think?  If you were given an opportunity to do something that you have dreamed of doing or trying then would you go for it?  Why or why not?  And how would you come to your conclusion for the choice that you make?

I think in everyone’s lifetime we are offered some sort of alternative or solution to our situation and for some it is a hard decision, even though, we know it just might be the booster that we have been looking for.  Fear gives way to our logically thinking and the heart and mind sometimes don’t agree, then what?  We lose the opportunity that may not present itself again or not for a long time?  Will we have regrets that will haunt us the rest of our lives?  Something to ponder.

Well, I think I just talked myself into going for it!  I hope that I can share the outcome either way it comes out! I want to be open about my progress of learning how to let go and yes, let God!

If you are in a situation where you are contemplating what to do, share and let our community help you.  SHARE!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

31 Day Butterfly Journey, the butterfly journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: In the Meantime

livingwholecoaching

newdayWhen I finally realized what my purpose in life was I was so excited!  I had waited all my life to understand who God wanted me to be and do while I was on this earth.  Year after year, I worked and went about my daily life struggles just like everyone else and just summed it all up to this is all there is.

But since God has a bigger and better plan for my life I was overwhelmed with emotion when it all started to click!  Yay, but not so fast, I haven’t been able to work fully in my purpose just yet.  Bills have to be paid, responsibilities taken care of; and I can’t just skip to the loo my darling off into purpose land.

However, in the meantime, I have been praying and listening to the instructions of God to catapult me into my purpose full-time.  I am not just sitting here waiting and complaining (well I admit sometimes I do), but God has been so wonderful to teach me things in everyday life and my walk with Him that is preparing me for my transition into my destiny.

I have worked for a large insurance company for 20 years, 10 of those years I have been doing the same job.  Even though most jobs have left me feeling under challenged and unmotivated after like 2 years, this one has kept me going.  Truly it is the people that I interact with each day that makes it all worthwhile.  If I didn’t have them I would probably grow into a dust ball in the corner of my desk and roll away at around age 65!

Today God proved to me that even though this is not my life’s purpose, but in the meantime I can use the skills, technology, and oh yes the many wonderful people that I get to meet everyday for my ministry.  I could go on for days telling you story after story about how wonderful some of the relationships have been through my job.  There have been times when I was feeling low and client’s would come in (some I knew, some I didn’t) and they would end up ministering to me about the goodness of the Lord!  Now talk about God sending angels to meet your needs!  He has never failed.

Hmmm, that just might be my next book. . .Angels in Our Midst (don’t steal my idea)!

Anyway, I just want to encourage you that where you are today is not where you will always have to be, but in the meantime do your best to find the opportunity in whatever you are doing to add to you destiny.  Try to find that spark of opportunity in your everyday life.

I read a post this evening from a high school friend that has been suffering with cancer and she said and I quote; “The goal is to live a full, productive life even with all that ambiguity. No matter what happens, whether the cancer never flares up again or whether you die, the important thing is that the days that you have had you will have lived.” – Sherry Smith Luttrell  Sherry’s words speak volume to me and hopefully to you to live your life every blessed second of it with zeal and purpose!

Seize the new opportunity and new grace with every new day!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

31 Day Butterfly Journey, the butterfly journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: Do Something!

livingwholecoaching

Do SomethingHave you ever had a grand idea or dream that you find yourself daydreaming about often?  Well I do and everyday I spend time and effort just visualizing the details and getting excited about the possibilities!

Unfortunately, I haven’t made any strides in making that vision/dream into reality.  But why you say; well I don’t know my friend.  I have this overwhelming feeling that I must have all my ducks in a row, every detail in place and most importantly all the disposable income that I need to get started.  But if that is truly the case then guess what, I will always be in dream mode, never actually realizing my dreams!

My mother and brother were having a visit yesterday, and they have so many dreams and aspirations of things they would love to do, ideas for business ventures that would sure be super successful. . .however, they have yet to make a move on anything.  There it is again dreams being wasted, life being unfulfilled all because of why?  We failed to “do something”!

Well, I don’t know about you, but I have decided that I will “do something” anything towards making my dreams and desires a reality.  I want to live my life to the fullest God-given potential that I can.  I don’t want to waste my life away dreaming of dreams and never bringing any of them to fruition.

What’s your story?  Do you have a dream, an idea, or a desire that you have kept hidden in your heart and mind?  What is the real reason that you have not done anything to make it a reality yet?  Is it you?  Is it others? Have you decided, without even trying that you can’t do it?  Or like many people are you afraid to fail or are you afraid that you might just actually succeed?

Well today I am giving you permission to “do something”!  Anything is better than nothing!

  • Step one – Ask yourself the question: “What is my dream?” (pray: conversations with God come highly recommend)
  • Step two – Write it down!  Start with the final goal, describe your dream in such vivid details that you can even feel every emotion that it will cause once it becomes a reality!
  • Step three – “Do something!” Create small goals (small steps). Accomplishing just one thing will ignite the passion and energy that you need to go the next step and before you know it. . .BOOM your dream is being realized!

I’ll be here cheering you on and screaming from the top of my voice – “DO SOMETHING!”

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa

*Please, please, please share, your sharing can help someone else “do something”!

31 Day Butterfly Journey

31 Day Butterfly Journey: The Journey Begins. . .

livingwholecoaching

I’ve told part of my life’s story (or at least one of the most significant parts) to you a few times via my blog and introduction on my website www.thebutterflyjourney.com.  Today I want to give you a more elaborate meaning of The Butterfly Journey Ministry.

Without being too lengthy I will attempt to share with you my story and how The Butterfly Journey came to be. . . About 5 years ago now, I suffered with depression (a seriously depressed spirit) and once I was delivered and healed (by God), I began to ask questions about my journey into depression.  Through that process God illustrated what had went terribly wrong and why! You will have to buy the book to find out all the details! (The Butterfly’s Journey – coming very soon. . .please pray!)  And through this process a ministry was born!  Ultimately, through my pain came my purpose and from my test came my testimony.  This season of my life truly was the pivotal point in which God revealed my purpose. . .to share my life with other women in such a way that allows them to be open for healing and deliverance from the pains of their life and catapult them into their God-given destiny, with the ability to live their lives in an extraordinary way!

As I have continued on my journey, God has revealed more and more about this thing called LIFE.  And so with this 31 Day Butterflythejourney Journey, I will be using my life as an open book, sharing the magnificent love of God, and sharing the wonderful discoveries about life as it unfolds right before our eyes!  My prayer is that as you walk along side of me during this journey you will be inspired, encouraged, and yes find some direction and healing for your own lives.  I believe as we share with one another and allow ourselves to be vulnerable before a mighty God we can help each other find that perfect place of peace, joy, and abundant life that we all desire to have.

I would love to hear your stories of “living life” as we go through this journey together!  Share your comments here and also join us over on Facebook www.facebook.com/thebutterflysjourney!

It’s time to spread your wings little butterfly and soar!

The Butterfly Journey ~ Lisa