Why You So Afraid of Success?

Something on my heart....

Sometimes the very 'thing' you're so afraid to do or try is the very 'thing' that will change your life and the world around you-FOREVER!

I was 12 years old when I actually decided without a doubt that 'one day' I would write a book about my life. Like, I mean I literally told my library teacher (Mrs. Hayes) that I was going to write a book about my story. She asked me 'oh why do you want to do that? What will it be about Elizabeth?"
I answered, "I want to help girls who are being abused and who don't like themselves. I want to tell them to be strong and don't let anyone hurt them or abuse them" Little did she know....at the time, I did NOT like myself one bit!

Little did I know what the next 15-20 years of my life were going to look like.

As the years went on and I experienced more pain, abuse, shame, self inflicted emotional drama, neglect and abandonment, I realized more and more that I was going to ONE day write a life changing book / memoir for women and girls- on the affects of abuse (emotionally, sexually, mentally and physically). But I was so afraid. I was afraid of letting out my secrets. I was afraid of telling 'my' truth. I was afraid of exposing those who abused me. I was afraid of telling the world about the places I'd been, things I'd done, toxic choices I made and the alleys they brought me threw. I was afraid of being vulnerable and most importantly, I was afraid of freedom. I had being life as a prisoner my entire life and I was scared to death of FREEDOM. Kind of like a man standing in his jail cell the day he is about to be released after doing 15-20 years behind bars. It was nerve wrecking and scary to face the UNKNOWN.

I started writing that book when I was 33 years 'young' but I came up with the title at 18 'If You Played In My Playground'

Writing it alone was the longest emotional rollercoaster ride I had ever been on. I laughed and I cried. I laughed and I cried. I had to dig up memories of my childhood that made me lock myself in a room -alone- and ball my eyes out for hours at a time. I had to go back and stand face to face with 'my story' in the deepest way you can ever imagine. And this hurt sooo bad. There were moments I had to put my pencil down and just feel the memory. Go back to the moment of that memory and really just 'be still' in it; in order to deal with the emotional aspect of it- that I NEVER dealt with as a child. I will NOT sugar coat this in any way. It hurt mannnn. I fought to go back there because my entire life I was a RUNNER. The moment I got to run away from my 'home' I became a runner. If something hurt bad enough, I ran! Because I had wanted to run ever since I was 6 years old so the moment I got to do it- I mastered it.

The truth is, I did not want to write my dark secrets in that book. It didn't feel good at FIRST! I was so cautious of what the world would think of me and I thought by writing the book I would go back to live in that place of darkness again. Ohhh was I wrong!

I had the entire book pretty much written and put down for months. Again, afraid of the world. The moment I was able to speak to my sister after my brain surgery (December 2011), I said to her, "Sue I am going to publish the book mama. If I had died, nobody would've known the real Liz" It was a true AHA moment for me.

I had to come face to face with death in order to discover my true purpose in this world. I didn't think for one second or worry for one second (after surgery) what 'others' would think of my TRUTH. Because I knew God Himself gave me that vision when I was 12 years old and I knew that He did so because He could trust ME to bring it to life. To bring MY life back to life.

Today, through that book, through 'my story' I empower the lives of disadvantaged and disenfranchised girls and woman who have been afflicted by challenging family of social circumstances. Today, because of the freedom I stand and live in, I inspire girls to live each day recreating who they desire to be, therefore enhancing their quality of living and becoming leaders of their OWN future.

The very thing I was so afraid of was MY PURPOSE!

Whatever your 'thing' is, I am begging you to just DO IT! You're feeling that push because it was given to YOU! If you do not bring that vision to life, you will be held responsible for it. That 'thing' is your purpose tugging at you, screaming at you, calling to YOU! Shut out the world and lock into your calling.

Go ahead, 'it's' calling YOU!

Love, Lizzy

My Personal Steps / Skills to Taking Action NOW

Most of us can agree that massive action can determine your destiny. Personally, any time I have decided to take real action, things, I mean a lot of things get done.

So often we hear that knowledge is power. But I mean how can it be power if it just remains in our head. So many of us have a ton of knowledge locked up inside of us, but too many of us do nothing with it. It then becomes powerless. To accomplish the results we often dream of, we must couple our knowledge with the necessary action.

Every time I have taken massive action, it takes me out of my comfort zone. Anything I have ever accomplished - never came easy. Meaning, I had to work overtime and harder. For example, when I woke up out of a massive life threatening brain surgery, within hours I told my sister I was going to publish my book and have a huge book signing event. She thought I was loosing it and told me not to think of all that so soon. I immediately began planning the event in my head. My healing brain began thinking and planning and thinking and planning. I think it's why it healed so fast (laugh). I was determined and it got done! Four months later I published my book and had over 250 guests at my signing. Did it require my blood, sweat and tears? YESSS! However, it was one of the greatest days of my life. Most people do not step out of their comfort zone because of fear of the unknown. I tell you, I have never been afraid of the unknown. OK maybe when it comes to my heart (still working on that), but for the most part, I would consider myself a 'go-getter' and brave.

Most of us are afraid of making mistakes. But think about it; mistakes are the greatest teachers. If you're putting a wall-unit together and realize you made a mistake with a few screws, you would then take it apart and do it differently- right? We should apply this to every area of our lives. Business, relationships, sports, hobbies, school, work etc.

Making mistakes have played a major part in my personal growth and has allowed me to contribute to society and my community in a BIG way. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. I have turned my mess into my message. After all, what exactly are you afraid of? 

Here is a list of MY Top 10 Action Steps:

1. Forgive and let go! (You can't get ahead with a heavy heart. Trust ME)

2. Get in shape. Mentally, physically and emotionally. Are you healthy? 

3. Write a list of your TOP 5 passions in life

4. Set HUGE goals ( those things you sit and say to yourself, "I wish....") Write them down. Writing has tremendous power.

5. Clean up your environment (toxic things and people gots to GO)

6. READ READ READ. Build real wealth through 'self-education'

 There is a huge difference between “book smarts” and “street smarts.”

7. Have a "Love Me" day. Pick one day of the week to either pamper yourself, take yourself out or simply do nada. This is absolutely necessary. My favourite love-me day- is going to Chapters for the entire day.

8. Become the change you want to see in this world. You want to see more love around you? Start spreading it.

9. Go out of your way once a day to perform an act of kindness. i.e.; buy someone in line behind you a coffee. Compliment the cashier who looks down and miserable. 

10. Surround yourself with loving, kind, authentic people; in your business and personal life.

At last but NOT least, I put God before all the decisions I make in life. He created me therefore He knows my destiny :-)

These actions steps are simple and attainable. Start off by writing a list of what you want to accomplish in life. Then apply all of the above and I promise you- you WILL see the results and live a much more fulfilling life.

Love, Lizzy