I love this book – it is one of my top 10 most important books. I read it every year at the beginning of the year as a reminder to Follow My Dream! This is a simple parable (don’t expect Shakespeare or any other literary giant) simply told. Its importance lies more in its enduring message as we follow the shepherd Santiago on his quest. Like many of us who pursue our dreams, his journey is riddled with many setbacks and there are times when he is ready to give up – but, he perseveres and learns the language of the world while pursuing his Personal Legend.

“… no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.” ~Paolo Coehlo, The Alchemist

Today I was interviewed by Terri Craig of the Houston chapter of eWomen’s Network. She has a radio show in which she interviews successful women. We had a really nice chat about my background and how I got to be where I am today – doing what I love! We also talked a little about the work that I do and at the end I gave a few words of advice to those of you still out there in jobs you’re not happy with, wondering if that is all there is to life.

Here it is: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/realwomenrealresults/2010/12/09/the-terri-craig-show-real-women–real-results-1

I’d love to hear from you what you think of it!

Love and Blessings to all of you!

Rev. Tricia

What could be riskier than diving out of an airplane or climbing a glacier-covered peak or accelerating a race car into a curve at the Indy 500?
For one person it might be quitting a secure, well-paying job to go back to school. For another, it could be deciding to leave a marriage after 18 years or reporting that the company they work for is endangering the environment or people’s lives.

For me it was quitting a well-paying job to work for myself at something I loved and had a passion for. It certainly wasn’t easy – but, there came a point when I knew I had to take that leap of faith to else continue down the path of drudgery I was feeling.

Though it may not appear so at first glance, psychological risks that summon us to put our personal values and beliefs on the line may ultimately feel more dangerous than those of physical derring-do. Yet these are the challenges that we are asked to face time and again if we are to continue to grow as individuals. Each time we take a risk that contributes to our personal growth or enhances our self-esteem or enriches our lives, we make the choice to stretch ourselves, knowing there are no guarantees and chancing possible failure.

I knew that even if I failed, I would have felt better for trying – I would have continually regretted not at least going after my dream. That alone made it all worth it!
Growth-producing risks generally fall into three categories:
Self-Improvement Risks These are the risks you take when you want to get ahead, learn something new or make a distant dream a reality. You take on the venture with hopes of enriching your life. Maybe you want to change careers, or take singing lessons, or learn to speak French. On one side of the risk is the person you are and, on the other, the person you want to become.
Commitment Risks All commitment risks have emotional stakes whether you pledge yourself to a person or a relationship or to a cause, a career, or a value. According to Joseph Ilardo, author of Risk-Taking for Personal Growth, if you avoid making emotional commitments, you all but guarantee that your emotional growth will be stunted.
Self-Disclosure Risks Communication risks fall into the category of self-disclosure. Anytime you tell someone how you really feel you’re taking the chance of self-disclosure. When you open up to others and reveal who you really are, how you feel and what you want and need, you make yourself vulnerable. It is impossible to be assertive without doing so.
All risks carry with them the possibility of failure. Often significant sacrifices must be made before any real benefits are realized. Routines may have to change; the familiar may have to be released. You may be rejected or humiliated. In the case of commitment to a value, personal safety may be in danger. Consider those who stand up for what they believe in or put their own health and well-being on the line in the name of a cause. Challenging yourself is often the key to personal growth and development.
Are you a risk-taker? Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does every decision involve endless debates with yourself?
• Do you accept less than what you should because you’re afraid to speak up?
• Do you have difficulty making emotional commitments to others?
• Do you make up excuses that stop you from taking advantage of opportunities for self-improvement?
• Does fear of disapproval keep you from doing what you’d really like to do?

A “yes” answer to these questions indicates a reluctance to take risks, which may mean you tend to play it safe and reject change.
Consider this: to fulfill your potential, to discover your real self and live an authentic life, you must take risks. And while security may appear to be the absence of change, the only genuine security lies in taking risks.

This past weekend I had the good fortune to be able to spend some time with some very dear friends. We drove to New Braunfels, TX and rented inner tubes and followed in the age-old tradition of “tubing” down the river.

As we made our way down the river, I was reminded so many times of how the river mimics life. I’ve summarized some of my thoughts here:

1. Take the Plunge!

Obviously the first thing you need to do is to get in the water. How true this is in life. For anything to happen we need to take action. Some of us do it timidly and some of us just go for it. Many of us at the river chose to jump in and “Just DO it!” – the temperature differential between the scorching sun and the frigid waters is outright painful, but once we were in , it quickly felt cool and refreshing. Others chose to slowly wade in a step at a time – getting accustomed to the temperature with each step.  Which one are you? Do you jump in a take risks? Or are you more careful? Perhaps a mix of both?

2. There WILL be white water.

Sometimes the way will get bumpy and rocky. This can be frightening, but it can also be exhilarating! If you hold on tight and are prepared (lift up your backside to avoid the rocks), you will fly through this time. In the words of Winston Churchill, “If you are going through hell, keep going.” If you aren’t paying attention, you could find yourself upside down in the water and your tube floating away!

3. Sometimes Action is Required.

There are times when you can lie back and drift and the river will carry you forward. However, there are other times when you need to paddle to get some forward motion or even get up out of the tube, sling it over your shoulder and walk over the shallow areas. In the ebb and flow of life, there are times to sow, take action; and there are times to wait patiently as the fruits of our labor our revealed. Be easy and “go with the flow”! When you wish you were in a different part of this cycle, just know that “This too shall pass!”

4. You will meet all kinds of people along the way.

There will be people that are friendly, people that don’t want you around, and people who get in your way. How you react to them shows how you handle life. Are you aggressive? Assertive? Easy-going? Complacent? Do you need to make changes in how you deal with others?

5. There is a predetermined flow, but you have free will to take another path.

While the river has a general flow to it, you still have the chose to go in a different direction. You could paddle upstream, head towards the right bank rather than the left, get out an rest for a while, or get out and start walking to your destination. Always remember that you have the choice to be the creator of your own life.

So, just remember as you go through your days that you are the creator of your destiny and you have the power to make things happen – and when things don’t go the way you had intended, this too shall pass!

Patricia Selmo is an ordained Interfaith Minister through One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. She is also a certified coach trained in Emotional Intelligence with an MA in Behavioral Science and a licensed True Purpose Coach.  She has over 20 years of experience facilitating, coaching and managing professionals in the corporate environment. She now focuses on professionals who are feeling burned-out and are looking for more meaning and passion in their work and personal lives. She also loves to help you celebrate the milestones in your life through her ministerial services and can help you create beautiful memories in uniquely customized weddings, baby blessings, house blessings, memorial services, commitment ceremonies, etc. Visit her at: www.TheBlissfulSoul.com