Do you know where you can find millions of dollars right now?
Recently I was flipping the channels and heard Joel Osteen ask this question—obviously it got my attention. I mean, who wouldn’t turn their head to hear more about that?
What he said next stopped me as I was getting up.
His answer: Cemeteries.
Not what I was expecting—yet, brilliant to highlight his point.
How many hopes and dreams are resting there? How many million dollar ideas that never came to be? That died inside with the person?
I was particularly struck by this, as I heard it right before my grandmother’s passing. At her funeral I couldn’t help but wonder if she had dreams that died inside with her? If she had any ideas she gave up on and never breathed life into?
I find this topic heart-breaking. As humans, we feel like we will be here forever, but we won’t. In truth, we only have a short amount of time on this planet—to do our thing. To share our gifts. To create. To love. To contribute.
Yet so many of us allow fear to get in the way of what’s inside our hearts. We play small for fear of what other’s might think, for fear of what other’s might say, for fear that we’ll fail and for so many other reasons.
Honestly, this is why I love coaching so much. It’s such a privilege to get to support someone in living beyond their fears and into their wildest dreams. In moving forward no matter what—so they can experience a life of greater joy & fulfillment and live more fully into who they truly are.
What idea is in your heart today that you haven’t yet given life to? What secret truth have you been afraid to do or say? (Click to Tweet!)
If you know in your heart you’ve stayed too long in a job or a relationship, what’s one action you can take to support yourself today? If you were born into a family of lawyers and are in law school but really want to be doing something else, how can you give voice to that today?
I was just talking with an inspiring young woman who shared how she left her doctoral program because she knew her heart was elsewhere. Now she’s preparing to work in the Peace Corps.
This is what I’m talking about. Honoring your heart takes courage. And, today I invite you to tap into your own courage and take action. It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small. You could buy a book or have a conversation or put a date on your calendar. This is about you taking a stand for what’s inside of you and moving forward.
I’d love to hear what you come up with if you are inspired to share in the comments below. (FYI – This could even be your action!)
Holding for your highest dreams.
With Fierce Loving,
Amber
this is so lovely! and that is so true and so unexpected.
@Laura – Yes. Unexpected. That’s such a great word for this story. Thank you for reading and sharing. I hope you are well.
Great question, Amber…I LOVE this!!! and now to meditate on what resides in my heart which I would like to set free!
so…did you find a million????
much love,
@Vicki – Oh good. I’m so glad it resonates with you. And, I’m working on the million! One step at a time. 🙂
For me it is starting to call myself a coach…ironically something that is probably the most natural state for me to be in whether I call it that or not. Also, beginning to look for the chance to have life-generating conversations with people. Today I went on a field trip with my son’s kindergarten class and I have to admit that many times in the past I have dreaded time spent with other parents (birthday parties, etc) because so often I feel the small talk void of just that — life generating conversations. But today I just jumped right into just that kind of conversation with the mom next to me on the bus and lo and behold the hour ride passed so quickly and I felt like I had truly added value to her day and to mine. I would love to take that feeling with me to my grave one day!
@Kendra – This is awesome! I so appreciate you sharing and claiming this in your life and here with us. I really acknowledge you for taking different action and trying new things. Look how quickly you are receiving the feedback that this is working. How wonderful you got to share in such a beautiful conversation on the bus ride. Nice job!
Amber,
I love this post. It is really ironic that just prior to reading this I was mulling over the fact that for some time now I have wanted to quit my job and start my own business. The trouble is I haven’t been able to pinpoint what direction to take for the business. However, twice over the past week
I have been asked what I do for a living and if I like it. My automatic response was “yes”. I am trying to determine why I would say I like my job when all I want to do is escape! But really it think it’s not that I dislike my job, it’s just that I have something different to offer the world and it needs to get out of me. Something like that.
@Sherry – I so hear you. We can like our job and be really good at something, but not have it speak to our hearts. That’s how teaching pilates was for me. I liked it. I was good at it, but there was more. My suggestion would be for you to allow yourself to dream. What do you want to do? What is in your heart to share? As the answers come forward, simply pick one and take action. See how you feel and if the doors open – then you’ll know whether to keep going or try something else on your list. The important thing here is to get in action, because you could be stuck in the not knowing what you want to do for a long time – if you let it. The only way to know if something fits is to try. Does that make sense? Thank you for sharing.
Love this!!! Thank you so much. Also thanks for sharing zen mama telesummit.. Very excited for that!
@Leah – It’s so great seeing you here. How are you? Have you relocated? And, so cool you hopped on the Xen Mama Summit. I think it’s going to be filled with lots of learning and support. xo
This is one of my all-time favorite bodyheart blog posts!
I especially loved this part: “In truth, we only have a short amount of time on this planet – to do our thing. To share our gifts. To create. To love. To contribute.” I feel this truth in every fiber of my being. Amen, sista!
@Megan – Thank you Megan. I’m so glad this post really resonated with you. Sounds like it’s the perfect time for you to follow what’s in your heart as well. xo
Hi Amber,
I love your post and all you do for women.
A correction – the comment from Joel is from a Les Brown presentation.
It is important to me that the right people get the credit for theior things and not the people that copy. Joel needed to say where he got the idea from in the first place.
As you can imagine in our line of work people take bits for their blogs and talks and it is with respect we credit the right people for their wisdom and the things that inspire us and get us to think differently.
Keep up your great work,
nicole.
@Nicole – Thank you so much. I appreciate your comment and desire to give credit where credit is due. Lots of love. A.