how are you feeling?
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Hey girl, hey!!! I hope you're feeling the passion, energy, and freedom that every summer brings! I sure am! Listen, a great girlfriend community member asked me a pivotal question with permission to share our conversation notes with you. Melissa from Houston, Texas, replied to my last newsletter with the following: Dear Sybil, how did you become so optimistic about life? I feel very far from where you are, and I don't know if I'll ever get there. Most of my friends are like me. We are exhausted from working and paying bills. We are in a cycle of doing the same thing every day without a lot to look forward to. If I started anything today, it would be trying a new career. Any advice would help. When I read Melissa's email, I cried. I cried for her, and I cried because I was her. About ten years ago, I was in a career cycle that was exciting, creative, and rewarding, but I wasn't happy. I was everything that everyone else wanted me to be, and I was only happy when I was home with my family or with my friends. I did everything to explain the change that I needed, but I was so good at my position that no one was willing to listen to me. At a certain point, I even stopped listening to myself because I began to sound like I was whining. It wasn't until I had an anxiety attack on a plane that I paid attention. The same flight that I took from Newark to California every other week began to feel like a death ride. The walls felt like they were closing in, and I was afraid that every flight would be my last one. That's when I went to God and asked, "What's wrong with me?" And boy did he answer! After many conversations with God, many conversations with myself, and then conversations with my husband, I knew it was time for me to leave that position and start The Great Girlfriends. The tug on my heart and the mission to build community for women over the power of friendship was keeping me up at night, and I needed sleep. In my construct, the only way to get sleep at night is to attend to the things that matter to you during the day. My answer to Melissa is my answer to any of you who relate to her: Your career is only fruit from your tree, and the roots of your tree need some attention. If you could uproot one thing and be free, let it be the need for validation and acceptance from other people before you make decisions. The only way you'll disrupt your career cycle is by disrupting the belief that you NEED people to approve of your decisions to feel good about them. Many of us find ourselves caught in this trap, which only creates a distance between where we are and the life we desire. Optimism will find you where you are freest. When you set your heart and mind free, you'll experience more optimism, more hope, and more joy. 💛 Set yourself free and watch the fruit in your life begin to change. I'm cheering you forward from victory to victory! With love! Sybil. P.S. How are you feeling? Want to share a story with our community? Have a question or need advice? Email us at welcome@thegreatgirlfriends.com P.S.S. If you missed the insider tickets to FriendFest, don't worry! Get your early bird ticket now at thegreatgirlfriends.com, use the code "EARLYBIRD" for your discount before July 9th! |