Revelling in Magic and Joy!

Today I had the privilege of seeing Martha Beck, known as ‘America’s Life Coach’, give a presentation to the Phoenix chapter of NAWBO.  I was thrilled to stumble upon this opportunity to see Martha in person-she is a pricey gal to get to, and to have her speaking at a reasonable fee was an opportunity I had to jump at!

Navigating towards my destiny has been a popular research topic for me the last two months.  Not only am I learning how to help others do so themselves, but I am charting my own path as well.  Martha’s writing for O Magazine as well as her books have been instrumental in opening up an entirely new world to me.  The immense changes in my perception of what is possible in my life and the impact I am destined to make on the world have led me to a place that I can only describe as a resilient peace.  I had a great ‘place of peace’ day yesterday, after an uplifting therapy session as well as anticipating seeing Martha in the flesh today.

One of my concerns as a person and as a coach is my boundary limit with regards to empathy.  I not only want to heal, but I end up overextending myself to the point of taking on a wound.  This isn’t a healthy empathy, and this isn’t the empathy that will accomplish my purpose on this planet.  I acknowledged that I need to develop a more ‘detached’ empathy with my therapist, and started to really meditate on the ways I can develop that skill.  My upcoming life coaching courses at SWIHA will surely aid me in become a present listener and in developing an attitude of, “I’m sorry about your problem, what are YOU going to do about it?”  I also thought of another Martha Beck event, taking place this March, where she and a group will be staying at a ranch in Scottsdale and working with horses in a healing environment.  It clicked within me that animals are the perfect way to learn proper empathy and healing-unlike emotionally complex humans, there wouldn’t necessarily be a ‘wound’ for me to take from the healing experience, just a mutually beneficial time.  Martha’s site (www.marthabeck.com) also detailed the African STAR trip, in which she and a group travel to South Africa to work directly with nature and healing.

I thought to myself for weeks about how I would approach Martha at this event, because surely that was a stop on my way to my destiny.  I agonized over how to get to her, what to say to her, etc.  I didn’t want to be the glassy-eyed stalker and have to be bailed out of jail afterwards for my creepy behavior, but I knew that a deeper connection was going to be established in the short time I would speak to her.  I also knew that I needed to work with animals, and that her work with animals and healing was a part of my overall vision.  I had thought of the ranch weekend, and the price tag, and again agonized over how to make that happen.  Finally, last night, it came to me (in the shower of course) that I simply needed to ask.  I literally saw her and heard her say, “Just ask me, I don’t bite!”  I felt the small tug of apprehension regarding the chutzpah it requires to do anything like that, but other than that, it was a good risk, and one I knew I had to take.

Today I was able to speak with Martha at the luncheon before the presentation even started.  I saw her walk in and gave her the chance to meet the NAWBO board members, and then I got up and approached her.  Before I could even introduce myself, she cocked her head and said, “We’ve met before.  I know you!”  I informed her that she had come to me in the shower last night, and she laughed and said that when she doesn’t take her medication, she ends up in all sorts of places.  She then said, “You’re a life coach.   You look like a life coach!”  I was completely taken aback!  I then told her about my training and that I wasn’t completing her training yet due to the cost.  She shook her head and gave it to me straight—basically, shrink down that obstacle.  Make the connection that it’s destined to happen, and get creative.  You’ll get over it.  I also asked about the ranch weekend and told her about my ‘just ask’ revelation.  After sharing my story of not following my destiny and getting chronically ill, she exclaimed, “You’re a shaman!  You need to come to Africa with us!”  I also had something for her to sign—a small piece she had written about world healers and shamans, and that any inkling of shamanism that you feel should NOT be ignored.  She took one look at that piece and said, “You’re already a part of the team!”  She signed it for me and gave me the email address of her assistant, as well as pointing out one of her Master Coaches for me to speak with regarding the Africa trip.

I was in awe of the experience, and still am!  I feel excitement and thrill regarding the trip, but at the same time, I am still in that place of peace where it seems like this was already a part of my course, so why act surprised?  I am honored and inspired, and I feel as though I’m experiencing magic left and right, but I am not surprised.  You’ll be happy to hear that I already have been contacted by one of Martha’s ‘people’ regarding the trip and that I am hard at work and at faith about the logistics of it all!

A quote that resonated with me from Martha’s presentation was this-”Everything you need for your destiny’s success will be given to you the moment that you need it.”  Friends, this is beyond true.  Tattoo it on your arm, write it 40 times a day, meditate on it hourly.  Once you internalize this truth, you will find your place of peace, where you radiate nothing but joy and love, which will in turn bring nothing but magic back to you.  I promise.

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