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Sacred Seasons: The Journey to a Purpose-Filled Life

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Blog, Soar Higher Blog. No Comments on Sacred Seasons: The Journey to a Purpose-Filled Life

Life doesn’t always unfold in a straight line.

Life often moves in seasons—sacred, shifting seasons that shape how we grow, how we lead,
and how we live.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been talking with many visionaries, leaders, and purpose-seekers about life seasons.

We have discussed how seasons help people rethink their lives, values, and missions.

Why?

If we are open-minded and open-hearted, seasons help us bloom, heal, and align.

For example, when we feel stuck, seasons can push us forward, help us learn, and clarify our vision.

When we are courageous, seasons help us challenge, confront, and change societal paradigms that support our own humanity and the humanity of others.

If we are reflective, seasons help us shift and adjust so we can ride the waves of change without drowning.

If we pay attention, seasons inspire us to grow and ask ourselves new questions that expand our lives.

If we study our personal or political history, seasons help us affect change and prevent us from passing laws that rob ourselves and others of their identities, dignity, and humanity.

If we are observant, seasons help us be grateful for what we have and thankful for what we don’t have.

When we lose something or someone we cherish, seasons allow us to mourn.

If we permit ourselves to process the loss, seasons open our hearts to grieve and remember the love we had and the love we still need.

However, if we are not intentional, seasons cause us to regress and cause pain and disruptions in our lives and the lives of others.

Though some seasons are more challenging than others, each season’s goal is the same: to Help us Live Purpose-Filled Lives.

On the newest episode of the Deciding to Soar Podcast: Living Life Your Own Way, I discuss the five distinct seasons we all go through in our lives. Click here.

The seasons that we experience are never linear. You may be in more than one at the same time, in different areas of your life. But each season is sacred. Each is necessary. And each season is part of your soul’s curriculum to prepare you to do what you were created to do.

I share the seasons below. Which season most resonates with you?

1. Revelational Season: The Awakening

  • This is a season of enlightenment and divine inquiry when you question everything you have learned about life.
  • It’s when hidden truths are revealed or hidden talents are discovered.
  • It’s a season where family secrets may be revealed, or real intentions become known.
  • It’s often sparked by discomfort, frustration, or divine nudges that urge you to open your eyes, hearts, and minds.
  • This is the season that reminds you that you can’t UN-know what you deeply know.
  • It’s when you admit that something is no longer working or fulfilling.
  • It is also when you acknowledge that you can’t return to who or what you used to be. However, you may not be entirely sure how to proceed.
  • This incredible time in our lives is about untying, untethering, and untangling us from mediocrity, stagnation, and inferiority.
  • Vital because: It breaks illusions and brings truth to light. It starts your soul’s realignment.

“Revelation is where the soul whispers, ‘There’s more.’”

2. Educational Season: Learning

  • This season, you gather the tools, wisdom, and skills needed to address your revelation – your new truth or dream.
  • You go back to school, take a course, or begin training through formal study to gain the needed expertise or knowledge to activate your new vision and architect your desired life.
  • This is a period of many mistakes, mentors, and moments that provide real-world, on-the-job training so you can maximize your moment.
  • This season will challenge you to keep your mind and heart open so you can consider new thoughts, meet new people, and experience new places.
  • It’s a period of learning HOW to fail so you can acquire the critical lessons you need while you are down and use them on your way back up.
  • During this period, you may apply old knowledge in new or creative ways because you will recalibrate or re-use what you already know.
  • It’s a time of disruption, dismantling, disconnecting, decolonizing, and deconstructing, which allows you to rebuild, reinforce, and rekindle.
  • Vital because: It prepares you with the knowledge, strategy, and spiritual maturity you need to build. It’s where you implement your newfound insight, solutions, and strategy.

“Education feeds the vision that revelation uncovered.”

3. Directional Season: The Clarifying

  • This is a season about soul-inspired movement.
  • It doesn’t always mean significant shifts or making massive changes; it could mean boundaries, pivots, pauses, or purposeful action.
  • This season is a time of testing, trying, and timing as you discern how to proceed to fulfill your calling, dharma, or destiny.
  • This period is dedicated to progress, often requiring you to let go of old plans or paths that no longer serve you.
  • During this season, you align your inner life with your outer truth to experience congruency and harmony. For example, you make decisions about your career that align with your conscience or re-configure your relationships so they align with your deepest needs.
  • This season requires courage because you are taking steps without knowing the path to your ultimate destination.
  • It is a time of liberation—sometimes fragile freedom—when you gain strength in your sovereignty and agency.
  • This season requires you to be a champion, crusader, creator, and collaborator because success never happens in isolation.
  • Vital because: Without direction, movement, or trusting your intuition to guide you, you drift.

“Direction comes when you’re ready to walk in what you know.”

4. Aspirational Season: The Dreaming

  • This is where you dare to believe, try, love, and hope again.
  • This period requires you to own, trust, unleash your imagination, and see yourself bigger than ever.
  • During this season, your desires re-emerge, often with new depth, understanding, and purpose.
  • This is a season of profound innovation because your vision expands, your creativity flows, and your courage increases.
  • Risk-taking, chance-making, and legacy-building are embraced and welcomed.
  • This season will remind you that dreams are not distractions but are divine directions to your destiny.
  • This is a season when others will often misunderstand you but will feel the most inspired, resilient, and courageous.
  • You will finally realize your capacity to stretch, create, and lead based on how you are divinely wired and NOT what society has indoctrinated or threatened you to be.
  • Vital because: It restores possibility, breathes life into your calling, and confirms your identity.

“Aspiration reminds you that your dreams are divine data.”

5. Enjoyable Season: The Living

  • This is the season where you taste the fruit of your journey and your labor.
  • This season nourishes your spirit and refills your cup for the next journey ahead.
  • You allow yourself to feel good, rest well, and receive joy.
  • You no longer feel guilty for ease, pleasure, success, or happiness.
  • You allow yourself to ask for and receive help.
  • You honor prayer, presence, and peace as spiritual practices.
  • You prioritize and protect your wholeness, wellness, and your health.
  • Vital because: Enjoyment is not a reward—it’s a requirement for sustained purpose.

“Joy is sacred. Pleasure is part of your purpose.”

Seasons.

Wherever you are on your journey, trust that your season is not a mistake; it’s a message. And whether you’re awakening, learning, discerning, dreaming, or delighting… trust that you’re precisely where you need to be for this specific time.

Click here to listen to the episode.

Remember, don’t rush the season. Receive it. Reflect on it. Rest in it. Rise with it.

Because the best is yet to come!

SharRon

Starting A New Chapter With A New Vision, Old Values & A Great Victory

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Starting A New Chapter With A New Vision, Old Values & A Great Victory

Some insights don’t fade with time—they deepen. 

A few years ago, I recorded a podcast episode while sitting by the beach, reflecting on what it meant to step into a new season with clarity and courage. Today, as I continue to heal and as the world shifts in complex ways, I realize this message is more important than ever. 

Because moments of change—whether personal, political, or physical—demand our deepest reflection. They call us to stop, to re-evaluate, and to ask: 

  • What is my vision? What do I see for myself when I strip away expectations, noise, and fear?
  • What are my values? Am I living in alignment with what truly matters to me?
  • How do I define victory? What does success mean to me—beyond material gain and societal approval? 

This is why I am sharing this conversation again. Not just as a personal reflection but as an invitation. Why? When you take a moment to reflect, you can spark profound transformations in yourself and the world around you. 

📌 Listen to the re-broadcast here: Apple Podcast or Youtube.

💡 Your turn: What’s one thing you’re re-evaluating in this season? Email me at SharRon@SharRonJamison and let me know. 

If you want to join a discussion with other wisdom-seekers, you are invited to join us in 2 weeks for Rooted To Rise. Email me to learn more. 

Blessings! 

#DeepReflection #TimesOfChange #ReBroadcast #VisionValuesVictory #ParadigmShift 

What My 7-Month Illness Taught Me About Joy

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Blog. No Comments on What My 7-Month Illness Taught Me About Joy

Have you ever found yourself waking up in the middle of the night with a gnawing question: “Is this all there is?” or “Am I living the life I was meant to live?”

If you’ve ever wrestled with these thoughts, you might be experiencing what philosophers and psychologists call a “telos crisis.”

The word “telos” comes from ancient Greek, meaning “end” or “purpose.” And a telos crisis happens when you feel disconnected from your purpose or destiny. It’s that sinking feeling that you’re off track, unfulfilled, or simply existing rather than thriving. It’s also a feeling that you are trapped by the status quo. Have you ever felt that way?

I remember vividly when my first telos crisis came knocking. On the outside, everything looked picture-perfect. The job, the relationships, the accolades — everything society says we should want or strive for – were in place. But inside, I felt hollow. I sensed I was living someone else’s dream, not my own. Most of all, I felt like I was emotionally drowning because my soul was gradually suffocating under the weight of expectations, traditions, and “shoulds.” It was a spirit-draining time in my life.

Many passion-driven, big-hearted people like YOU will also experience a telos crisis, not once but many times. Why?  A telos crisis can be triggered by a career change, a health crisis, a significant loss, an empty nest, a divorce, a religious shift, or even a moment of stillness in a noisy life. The political uncertainty and polarization we’re living through in America may also exacerbate a telos crisis because chaos often stirs up deeper questions about our place in the world and the collective legacy we’re creating. So, it’s inevitable. You will face something that will transform your life and provide the wisdom you need for a new chapter or stage.

My current telos crisis – my 7-month health challenge-  though painful, was a necessary wake-up call. It shook me out of my spiritual complacency and invited me to recalibrate, reflect, and realign my priorities.  It made me release the weight of roles, obligations,  and expectations that choked my spirit so I could focus on who I was becoming in my next season. It also showed me that I needed to build different types of friendships so I could be more vulnerable and transparent and ask others for help without them questioning my faith. Whew! Having a few Christians question my faith when I was suffering was disheartening.   (I share some of my experiences in the newest episode of Deciding To Soar: Living Life Your Own Way.)

So, how do you know you’re in the middle of a telos crisis? Here are some signs:

  1. Chronic Discontent: You’re constantly dissatisfied, even when things are objectively “fine.” Joy feels out of reach.
  2. Restlessness: You feel an urge to change but don’t know where to start or what to pursue.
  3. Numbing Behaviors: You find yourself overworking, over-eating, binge-watching, or overindulging to avoid confronting or feeling the void. (This is how I coped.)
  4. Questioning Your Choices: You start wondering if the life you’ve built is yours or if it’s the product of societal or familial expectations.
  5. Yearning for Meaning: You crave something deeper, richer, more soul-stirring than your current day-to-day grind.

Here’s the good news: A telos crisis isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. It’s a wake-up call from your soul, urging you to come home to yourself.

So, here are 5 steps to navigate through it:

1. Pause and Reflect

When you’re in the middle of a telos crisis, your instinct might be to distract yourself or power through. Resist that urge. Instead, give yourself permission to pause. Journal your thoughts, meditate, or take long walks in nature. Ask yourself, “What’s missing? What does my soul truly desire?”

2. Revisit Your Values

Often, a telos crisis stems from living out of alignment with your core values. Take some time to identify what matters most to you. Is it freedom? Connection? Creativity? Contribution? Once you know your values, you can begin to make choices that honor them.

3. Rewrite the Narrative

Many of us are living scripts that we didn’t write. Yes, it’s true. These scripts come from society, family, or past versions of ourselves. Decide to be the author of your own story or a new chapter. Ask, “What would a life that feels true to me look like?” Dream boldly. Let your imagination run wild!

4. Take Small, Courageous Steps

Significant changes don’t happen overnight. Start small. Maybe it’s signing up for that class you’ve been curious about, having an honest conversation with a loved one, or carving out 10 minutes daily to do something you love. Small steps build momentum.

5. Seek Support

Don’t go it alone. Share your journey with trusted friends, a mentor, or a coach. Success never happens in isolation, so find someone who can hold space for your exploration and encourage you as you navigate uncharted territory. Sometimes, an outside perspective can help illuminate the path forward and help you think bigger.

Click here to listen to the podcast on Apple or YouTube.

My friend, you don’t have to go through the telos crisis alone. I’ve been where you are and know how overwhelming it can feel. So, connect with me. Together, we can explore your thoughts, clarify your vision, and strategize your next steps. Click here. 

Or join my next Sister Circle, a small, intimate gathering where we will share, connect, and build a roadmap for your future. If you are interested in joining, email me at SharRon@SharRonJamison.com. We have several gatherings scheduled throughout the year.

Thankfully, I am on the road to wellness. I am not there yet, but my health is improving, and my strength is returning. I am doing everything in my power to prioritize my health and engage in the healing process, even when it’s hard or when I feel incredibly vulnerable. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Remember: A telos crisis isn’t something to fear. It’s your soul’s way of whispering, shouting, or sometimes shaking you awake so you can step boldly into the life you were always meant to live.

Blessings!

SharRon

P.S. If this message resonates with you, please share it with someone who may need inspiration. They might just need to be reminded that what they are experiencing is normal, natural, and enriching.

When An Election Hurts Your Heart

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Blog. No Comments on When An Election Hurts Your Heart

The recent election and the entire electoral process were extremely painful for many people. Not only did the results fill some with dread, but the outcomes also instilled fear and a genuine concern about the state of our democracy.  Many people, especially people who have been historically marginalized, told me that the outcome of the presidential election was incredibly unsettling, and they feared for their safety, their livelihoods, and their freedom to exist in a world that demonizes their very presence.  It was and continues to be a scary time.

The election and the mean-spirited campaigns were gut-wrenching for me, too. I felt disgusted, enraged, and appalled at the tactics used to manipulate, malign, and exploit people. I was even more saddened that some people believed the divisive rhetoric and harmful lies without validation, research, or corroboration. If information was shared on social media, it was believed to be accurate. If a politician shared “facts,”  it was accepted that the “facts” were verified. If a clergyperson shared a religious perspective, some people believe it was a message directly from God.

Witnessing the entire process was so maddening that I had to take a break – a time out from the foolishness. And so, for weeks,  I avoided the media to protect my spirit and soul from the vicious mud-slinging, myth-making, victim-blaming, name-calling, and dog-whistling that spewed a level of vitriol that I believe have irrevocably fractured relationships and alliances.  I also temporarily disconnected from frazzled and angry friends in order to find space in my heart for optimism, hope, and faith.  I didn’t want to abandon anyone because I cared deeply about their feelings. But I knew I had to stabilize myself because the stakes were too high to surrender to fear, hopelessness, and feelings of defeat. I also knew I needed to stay anchored in my spiritual beliefs in order to protect myself from the constant anxiety that was threatening to swallow me whole. Despite the social upheaval and the toxic political climate, I had to remain open, creative, and courageous. As a single, middle-aged Black woman, I didn’t have the luxury of feeling disempowered, worried, or apathetic.  Like many of you, I had to muster up the strength to make life-affirming, soul-nourishing decisions that honored my soul, instilled hope, and fostered healing. And my decisions had to be strategic because many self-appointed powerbrokers and gatekeepers were no longer trying to hide their disdain for specific communities and identities. It felt as if the election results emboldened them to be MORE offensive, oppressive, and cruel.

Shifting my perspective to see the power of possibility amid so much malice and disrespect wasn’t easy. However, in these trying moments, I reflected on the invaluable wisdom I learned from my elders and ancestors to inspire and direct me. I recalled the lessons they taught me that anchored them through the horrors of enslavement, segregation, Jim Crow, redlining, police brutality, political abuse, and social erasure.  I remembered the strength of their deep faith and resolve that equipped and empowered them to build schools, businesses, hospitals, churches, families, and legacies with limited resources and little protection. I remembered them telling me that my ancestors’ wisdom was stored in my bones, cultivated through my experiences, and strengthened through adversity. I remembered. Thank God, I remembered!

The knowledge and timeless insights I learned from my elders decades ago reminded me that no election, challenge, or person can undermine the calling on our lives. Their words of wisdom also reaffirmed that no politician or policy can undermine God’s plan for humanity if enough God-inspired, justice-minded, faith-filled people work together to effect change.

I pray these lessons inspire you as they encouraged me. I hope they remind you that you can SOAR higher than any policy, law, or tradition that tries to block, dismantle, or dishonor you. And most of all, I hope you are so inspired that you continue to inspire others to live beyond the suffocating status quo and stretch beyond social limitations so they can live fully, truthfully and peacefully.

Here are the lessons I shared on the podcast Deciding To Soar: Living Life Your Own Way.  You can listen on YouTube or Apple and read below.

Elder: If It Didn’t Stop Us, It Won’t Stop You

History is filled with stories of resilience. Our ancestors faced insurmountable challenges—enslavement, displacement, wars, and systemic oppression. Yet, they pressed forward through every storm, building families, schools,  cultures, and legacies. They survived with unwavering determination, proving that obstacles, no matter how towering, are not permanent barriers but mere stepping stones to a greater destiny. When the world tried to silence their voices, they sang louder. When the world tried to erase them, they let their lights shine brighter.  When opportunities seemed scarce, they created something from nothing. Their endurance is a testament to the power of persistence.

Today, that same resilience flows through you and me. Our challenges may differ, but the weight of oppression is not unfamiliar to our spirits.  So,  confront setbacks, and remember the courage of those who came before you. Our elders thrived under laws and policies designed to break them, yet they soared. Their story is our inheritance. Their strength is our foundation. Their legacy is our leverage. Whatever you’re up against, know that it didn’t stop your ancestors and won’t stop you.

Elder: The Path for You May Be Hidden in Plain Sight

Sometimes, the answers we seek are right in front of us, yet we miss them because doubt, distraction, or societal expectations blind us. But because what we seek is also seeking us, we must slow down and pay attention to what’s happening around us and within us. We must pay close attention to the whispers of our intuition, the wisdom of our bodies, and the nudges of our curiosity. Even if what we feel or sense is not traditional or familiar, we must move in the direction of our spirit to discover and claim our paths.

My elders also reminded me that the clarity you long for isn’t always about discovering something entirely new; sometimes, it’s about recognizing what’s already within your reach and activating wisdom you already know. They always advised me to lean into my gifts, passions, or experiences that others overlook, minimize, or criticize. They told me that spiritual messages are sometimes disguised as”mess” and that I MUST maintain an open heart, spirit, and mind to SEE and SENSE God.

My friend, look! Look beyond what you see with your eyes and see with your heart. Let your spiritual vision grab God’s vision. Your path is right before you; it’s been there for days or decades.

Elder: Pick Your Own Tools to Sow the Land

Just as farmers choose tools suited to their soil, you must decide what tools work best for your unique journey. Why? God made you special, so a one-size-fits-all approach won’t help you achieve your goals or fulfill your destiny.  Remember, what works for someone else may not fit your vision, purpose, personality, or skill set, but that’s okay. What’s important is to be intentional about the tools you gather—whether it’s education, mentorship, prayer, or imagination—and use them creatively, courageously, and consistently to sow the seeds of your future.

Most of all, resist the pressure to conform to societal norms, cultural expectations, or artificial timelines. Your path is divinely distinct, as are the instruments, strategies, and timing you need to bring it to fruition.  So, determine what feels authentic, what aligns with your values, and what empowers you to thrive. Just as our ancestors innovated with what they had, you, too, can make memories and start cultural movements with your chosen tools.

Elder: Protect Your Dream Space Because It Holds Your Destiny

Your dreams are sacred. They are not merely aspirations; they are vital glimpses of your destiny, instructions for your future, and plans for your purpose. Yet, the world tries to infect your mind and undermine your ability to hold onto your dreams. That’s why creating a mental and emotional sanctuary for your dreams is crucial, particularly in a world that often prioritizes indoctrination over critical thinking, respectful discussion, and genuine inquiry. By nurturing this sanctuary, you empower yourself to challenge the status quo and cultivate the life you truly desire.

So, be mindful of what you allow into your dream space. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, believe in you, and challenge you to grow. Say no to influences that plant seeds of doubt, mediocrity, or fear in your heart and mind. Remember that your dreams preview what’s possible in your life, so guard them because they are the bridge to your destiny.

Elder: Who You Are Is Your Strength, Especially in Adversity

During political struggle, it can be tempting to compromise your integrity or conceal your true identity. And even though suppressing who you are or going with the flow may make your life feel initially easier, erasing your identity strips you of your superpowers and self-respect.  Abandoning your unique perspective, skills, and resilience leaves you without the internal infrastructure YOU NEED to withstand adversity and attacks.

So, lean into your identity, especially when life feels uncertain. Your heritage, values, and personal journey are not just part of your story—they are the source of your strength and the foundation of your faith. Both will sustain you in the most trying moments and ensure you are anchored in the God above you and connected to the God within you.

Elder: There Is a Difference Between Salt and Salve

In life, you will encounter people and experiences that either act as salt or as a salve. Salt, while valuable, can sting when placed on wounds because it exposes truths, provokes discomfort, or highlights what needs healing. On the other hand, salve soothes, nurtures, and aids recovery. Both have an essential purpose in your life, and knowing when to apply each is crucial to your growth, wholeness, and well-being.

So, be discerning in how you engage with yourself and others. Tough love (the salt) is sometimes necessary to confront hard truths, but it must be balanced with compassion (the salve) to foster healing and facilitate progress. Similarly, surround yourself with people who can be both—those who challenge you to improve while supporting your journey with care and encouragement. Life demands salt and salve during times of change, and wisdom lies in knowing how to use them to elevate and not harm.

 

My friend, I hope these lessons helped you because your journey and mine—our journey—will be challenging. The next four years will stretch and challenge our nation in unprecedented ways. But just like the ancestors before us, we possess the strength to persevere, the wisdom to find our hidden path, and the courage to choose tools that align with our purpose.  Like them, we can fiercely protect our dreams and our ability to dream. Like them, we can courageously lean into our authenticity and discern the moments that call for salt or salve. Just like them….we can make it.

Over the next four years, I believe that our lives will be a testament to the power of resilience and the audacity of hope. And as our valiant story unfolds with chapters that will inspire others, we will dare to soar higher! We will be the change we need and the change we seek. We will be the visionaries, bridge-builders, wisdom-seekers, truth-tellers, and leaders who speak for the voiceless, inspire the hopeless, and renew the spiritless. We will share wisdom with others just like our ancestors and elders shared with us, and we will thrive!

We will SOAR HIGHER individually and collectively … I believe….because the best is yet to come!

Blessings!

SharRon

 

Are Ghosts Holding You Back?

Written by SharRon Jamison on . Posted in Blog. No Comments on Are Ghosts Holding You Back?

This election season has me thinking a lot about ghosts—not the ghosts we see in movies or cartoons, but the types of ghosts that interfere with our ability to live honest, peaceful, and soul-nourishing lives.

So, today, I want to talk about the invisible ghosts from your past –  experiences, beliefs, doubts, fears, trauma, obligations, conditioning, memories, assumptions, unspoken narratives, etc. –  that influence and shape your life.

Why?

We can ONLY live creatively, openly, and authentically if we can determine what is helping us, haunting us, or hindering us in our quest to be emotionally mature, productive, contributing members of society. Without introspection and insight, we don’t thrive individually or collectively. We don’t repair relationships, reckon with our beliefs, or restore peace.

I share more about the ghosts in a new episode of Deciding To Soar: Living Life Your Way. You can listen to it on YouTube or Apple Podcasts.

Let’s review. 

1. The Ghost of the Ground

The Ghost of the Ground is the ghost that anchors you to the proverbial floor or convinces you to settle for something beneath your ability. It’s the ghost that magnifies every mistake and miscalculation and nullifies and minimizes your victories, severely undermining your confidence. For example, if you try something new and don’t achieve the desired outcome (fall down), the Ghost of the Ground will discourage you from trying again. It will constantly convince you that you don’t have the ability, talent, expertise, or resources to achieve your desired goals or make life-expanding decisions. And when you try again, it will find quick ways to sabotage your efforts and dash your hopes.

Unfortunately, the Ghost of the Ground is hard to detect, especially when you elevate logic and data over your intuition and faith.  So, pay attention to how you move in your world. Focus and be intentional about your goals. Get wisdom and feedback from people who want you to win! Why? The Ghost of the Ground is a sneaky ghost that tries to dismantle your resolve and tenacity; it will find underhanded ways to discourage you.

Truth: There is no such thing as failure. Always remember that if you DON’T get the outcome you want, you will always get the lesson you need. And… getting the lesson that you need means trying again WITH experience, insight, and acquired wisdom.

Wisdom: The enemy plants doubt seeds in places God wants us to grow the most – LaTonya Benson.

Action:

  • Consider how you view “failure.” Do you define failure as a stepping stone or a tombstone?
  • Determine if you are not starting your business, getting married, getting divorced, moving to a new city, going back to school, or starting your non-profit because you are scared of failing. Be honest with yourself so you can create an actionable plan.
  • Identify where you are vulnerable and determine why.
  • Remember: Failure is an experience or event, but it is NEVER your identity. So don’t let the Ghost of the Ground prevent you from getting up and starting over again, again and again. You can restart as many times as needed because success and self-discovery are processes of starts and stops.
  •  Identify where you “fell down” and hire support so you won’t fall in the same spot again.

2. The Ghost of Glory

The Ghost of Glory thrives on external validation. It yearns for applause, accolades, and affirmation from the crowd and will have you hustling to be seen,  heard, and known.

Since it fears being insignificant, it causes you to compromise your own fulfillment, health, and wellness to achieve or maintain a cultural definition of success. And you already know that achieving goals that are not your own leaves you feeling resentful, empty, lost, and frustrated.

Action: 

  • Identify what you want and why you want it.
  • Measure success by your own standards.
  • Identify why you crave applause and admiration from others and address it.
  • Identify the price you pay for staying in a position or holding on to a belief that no longer supports you.
  • Make a vision for every aspect of your life and ensure it is broad enough to accommodate growth, peace, and joy.

Wisdom: Never choose applause over authenticity. Authenticity provides courage, clarity, and self-trust to live on your own terms.

3. The Ghost of Greed

The Ghost Of Greed always craves more. And let’s be honest: the Ghost of Greed is pervasive in our culture. From social media to political perspectives, we are encouraged to grab more—more wealth, more power, more land, more sex, and more control. MORE! MORE! MORE! And we are not only encouraged to grab MORE, but we are also encouraged to grab MORE FOR ME and MINE….as if everyone else’ needs and inalienable rights are irrelevant.

Instead of satisfaction and sufficiency, this ghost thrives on the perception of scarcity and the lust for dominance. And no matter how much you achieve, it will compel you to accumulate, grab, steal, manipulate, lie, exploit, justify, or coerce to acquire, hoard, or seize MORE….even at the expense of others.

Most alarming is that the Ghost of Greed doesn’t honor boundaries or ethics; it has no moral compass or social conscience. It wants what it wants, even if it violates the law, robs a person of dignity, or destroys communities.

Unfortunately, the Ghost of Greed also has an insatiable political appetite. Just look around the globe. There are many examples of how the Ghost of Greed threatens the quality of our lives, robs developing countries of their natural resources, and threatens global alliances. This ghost loves to dominate, disenfranchise, and destroy. It promotes personal avarice over communal advancement.

Action: 

  • Determine what’s enough and why it’s enough.
  • Determine what’s driving your desire for MORE.
  •  Shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance by listing what you genuinely need to be happy and fulfilled.
  •  Identify what you were taught about money, power, and control. And then determine how those childhood lessons serve who you are today.
  • Explore your relationship between external accumulation and inner alignment.
  • Identify your values and explore how your values align with peace and justice.
  • Examine how your country and communities treat other countries and communities. Identify what drives the treatment or mistreatment.
  • Evaluate if MORE of something is adding or subtracting from your life and the lives of others.

4. The Ghost of the Group

The Ghost of the Group pressures you to conform, to fit in, and to follow societal expectations—even if it means abandoning your individuality and truth. This ghost can be emotionally harmful because it demands self-editing, self-erasure, self-abandonment, and self-denial. It uses the fear of exclusion, judgment, and rejection as tools to control what you say, do, and believe.

Unfortunately, the Ghost of the Group is extremely deceptive and calculating. It will make you accommodate, tolerate, and protect injustice, oppression, and abuse for group membership. It will also make you act and vote against your best interests in exchange for group acceptance—acceptance that is frequently empty, conditional, and manipulative at best.

Action: 

  • Understand who you are and embrace your uniqueness.
  • Determine your own path. Cultivate the inner strength to follow your own conscience and not the crowd.
  • Challenge outdated cultural scripts or gender paradigms to create space for you to be who you are.
  •  Find strength and joy in your individuality and be willing to stand apart from the crowd.
  • Surround yourself with people who don’t expect you to “lie to live”  or slowly die in exchange for a temporary connection and conditional access.
  • Hire a coach, get a mentor, or enlist a healer because leaving controlling groups can be complex without support.

5. The Ghost of Gossip

The Ghost of Gossip is tricky because it amplifies your anxieties about being talked about. It exploits your fears of public attack and criticism, leading you to undermine your own efforts, conceal your truth, and abandon your dreams. Since it convinces you to focus on the judgment of others MORE than the whispers from your soul, it makes you a prisoner of public opinion.

Here is some truth: You can’t control lies, hearsay, or rumors. People will always make comments about things they don’t know, things they can’t have, or things they don’t understand. And if people are jealous of you or threatened by you, they will constantly create lies to ruin your reputation or undermine your effectiveness.

Remember, gossip feels personal. But it’s pathological because it exposes the hearts, motives, and minds of unhealed, toxic, and vindictive people.

So, move with power, conviction, and authority, knowing that the people who talk negatively about you are the same people who rarely do anything in their own lives that is unique, newsworthy, or note-worthy.

ELDER WISDOM: A lie doesn’t care who tells it. It just wants to be told.

Action: 

  • Know who you are and have a strong sense of self-worth.
  • Let your authenticity and accomplishments speak for themselves. You don’t need to campaign for acceptance!
  • Don’t waste your energy and time convincing people that the lies are untrue. People will believe what they want to believe.
  • Don’t fear rumors. You can’t do anything to stop them, so live your values, trusting that the people you want in your life will see beyond the lies and deceit.
  • Don’t share your secrets with unhealed or jealous people. Both types of people can’t be trusted with their own lives, and they can’t be trusted with sensitive aspects of your life, either.

Ghosts! Click here to listen to the podcast.

Confronting your ghosts isn’t easy. But as you learn to identify and challenge each ghost, you will experience greater freedom and joy….. to BE who you were born to be….and will STOP settling for what the ghosts are convincing you to be.

I look forward to exploring the ghosts in greater detail in my upcoming workshop called NOW WHAT!  It’s happening in December, so be on the lookout for additional information.

In the meantime, please email me and tell me what ghosts most resonate with you and what you do to confront them.

Also, please share this message with someone who is dealing with ghosts. It may be just what they need to make more soul-nourishing, courageous decisions.

Blessings to you!

SharRon

Why Not Take Your Own Advice?

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Great News!

I finally took my own advice and transitioned my private community podcast to a public platform.

It took me a few years longer than I expected—because …well, I thought a public podcast had to be perfect.

But….I had to accept that my public podcast would not be perfect. First, because I don’t believe in perfection. Perfection is an illusion and an impediment to progress.

Second, I didn’t want to be bothered by all the bells and whistles of a professionally produced podcast. For example, I didn’t want to be responsible for editing, finding music, arranging interviews, etc. I didn’t want to do any of that. Yet, I deeply desired to share with a broader audience.

Thanks to some truth-telling and courageous soul-searching, I realized that my delay in entering the public podcasting world was due to my fear of being judged.

I probably should have realized that sooner, but I didn’t. And when I reflected more on my delay, I realized that keeping my podcast “private” for so long was an attempt to protect myself from criticism.

Why?

I didn’t want to be vulnerable to any more public critique. As a minister, leader, speaker, and author, I am constantly critiqued, sometimes very harshly, and I wanted to feel safe.

But I  realized that delaying my desires wasn’t keeping me safe. In fact, postponing the transition to a public forum made me feel like I was settling and shrinking, which of course, didn’t make me feel proud of myself.

Family, none of these feelings are easy to admit, but they are true.  No matter your success, no one is immune to first-time jitters. Even people who have accomplished a lot encounter fear, doubt, and anxiety about new projects.

That’s why I want to encourage you to think about your life.

I want you to identify if and how self-doubt or fear is causing you to dim your light, delay opportunities, or stay in unhealthy relationships.

I want YOU to ask yourself: 

  • Am I letting the fear of judgment deter me from honoring my goals or living my values?
  • Why does somebody else’s opinion of my work matter more than my OWN desire to offer something to the world?
  • Am I letting the status quo make me a prisoner of public opinion?
  •  Am I conforming to something I don’t even believe in or trust?
  • Will I regret not trying to pursue this opportunity?
  • What will I lose if I do or say nothing?
  • What will I gain if I try a different option?
  • How can a different environment or approach support my dreams and wholeness?
  • How does staying in my present state support my growth and development?
  • What would joy, kindness, or integrity do?
  • What do I really lose when I lose people who don’t believe in me?

Hard questions, right?

Here’s the truth:

  • You don’t have to be perfect to start something new.
  • People will always judge and critique you when you do something you want to do.
  • Delaying your dreams breeds frustration and sadness.

MORE TRUTH:

  • There will always be people who will downplay your creativity or question your decisions when you follow your heart’s desires.
  • There will always be people on the sidelines, on the couch, not living their dreams or not living their truth, who want to give you guidance and advice.  Unfortunately, their advice and opinions are usually based on ignorance, indecision, or inaction. 
  • There will always be people who will try to scare you away from doing what you want to do because they have failed or because they lack the courage to embark on their own unique path.
  • There will always be people who will belittle you vs build themselves.

That’s why you must ALWAYS search your own heart and make decisions that honor you, support your values, and align with your dreams.

My friend, you can do what you feel called to do. YOU CAN!

You don’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out. You can create, contribute, and serve imperfectly and do it YOUR way!

And even if it’s messy at first, trust that you will learn and gain the experience you need to improve in the future.

So, I hope you enjoy my imperfect public podcast, Deciding To Soar: Living Life Your Own Way. 

I also hope my testimony encourages you to do something you genuinely want to do in your life.  And if criticism comes, and I am sure it will, I pray that the joy of following your heart will inspire you to DARE TO SOAR HIGHER!

Blessings!

SharRon

P.S. If you want to subscribe to my newsletter, please click here.

Create A Life That Honors Your Soul!

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What would you do if you lived outside of the expectations and imaginations of others?

What would you do if you stepped into your full humanity and stopped denying yourself pleasure, joy, and rest?

What could you create if you left or changed your career to align with your dreams and desire for more freedom?

You would be healthier, happier, and more whole!

Living healtheir, happier, and whole is exactly what DARING TO SOAR HIGHER is about!

It is about SOARING beyond and above the expectations, narratives, and systemic barriers that try to undermine your fulfillment!

SOARING HIGHER is about honoring your own journey, following your own inner wisdom, and prioritizing your needs.

SOARING HIGHER is moving past and through your pain, reclaiming your true identity, and restoring your peace.

DARING TO SOAR HIGHER is about walking, talking, and embodying your truth, agency, and freedom so you can experience MORE OF YOURSELF!

And honestly, isn’t that what we ALL want?

We ALL want to be more of ourselves to experience MORE fulfillment, inner peace, and self-love.

In a few weeks, a few courageous folks and I will embark on a journey together to SOAR HIGHER, and you are invited to join us.

I am holding a special virtual open house to share more about the soul-nourishing journey. If you want to learn more, DM me, and I will send you the information.

In the meantime, please check out Deciding To Soar: Living Your Own Way! I recently transitioned the podcast to a public podcast, and I am so excited to share exciting and inspirational episodes with you!

Blessings!

SharRon

Opting Out Is Also A Courageous Option!

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Sometimes, after I facilitate workshops for corporate women, my heart breaks.

Why?

Some women are really struggling in corporate environments. And honestly,  I OVERstand because it is not always easy for me, either.

But here’s the truth….. sometimes you CAN’T listen to the advice of your friends, especially if they don’t have experience in corporate settings, don’t have to deal with workplace politics, or don’t know how to extend empathy.

Why?

Some people just don’t understand that corporate trauma is real.  Trying to exist and thrive in some corporate environments is extremely debilitating, spiritually exhausting, confidence-eroding, and disease-producing!

So, here’s a reminder for some of my corporate folks, especially women of color: Opting out of any unsafe situation is courageous!

You don’t need to continue anything or align with anything that jeopardizes your emotional, spiritual, or mental health.

You don’t have to carry the torch for all women!

You don’t have to endure disrespect to prove you “can do it” because your competence is undeniable.

You don’t have to be a punching bag to hold the doors open for other women or to help women get seats at the table.

You don’t have to sabotage or undermine other historically marginalized people to gain brownie points from people who really don’t like or respect you, either.

You don’t have to do any of that!

And not doing any of that does not mean you are not committed to your success and the success of other women.

It’s also does NOT mean that you are weak, selfish, or “hurting your race.”

You can be committed to gender parity, diversity, inclusion, and equity, AND care about yourself FIRST!

Honestly, YOU MUST honor yourself first!

And while you are “getting your entire self” together, find a loving community that can hear and support you without heaping more guilt, expectations, and cultural shame on your plate.

Remember,  YOU are not responsible for correcting systems and structures strategically designed to exclude and undermine you.

Your primary goal is to stay well and whole in an extremely sick system while you help to create something healthier and better for all humans.

Signed,

A Corporate Sister Who Knows & Cares

Don’t Reject Any Part Of YOU!

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I used to hide parts of me because I felt ashamed, guilty, inadequate, dirty, and awkward.

I hid my truth so much that I stopped living in integrity, alignment, and peace.

I hid my genius so much that I didn’t honor my talents, gifts, and expertise and failed to contribute fully to the world.

I hid my love so much that I failed to make myself present, accessible, and “satisfy-able” which made me feel isolated and alone.

I hid my brokenness so much that I left people confused, frustrated, and concerned about my path, needs, and values.

I hid my pain so much that I suffered in isolation and succumbed to depression and despair, never asking for help or support.

I hid so much and hid so well that I lost myself in relationships, organizations, and perspectives.

I HID!

But I blossomed when I accepted those cracked, flawed, fragile, differently-shaped, multi-colored, frayed, complex, and authentic parts of me.

I grew! I evolved! I healed.

What I didn’t realize then was that all of the pieces …all of them…were valuable pieces and elements of my life journey. They were me! And rejecting those undesired pieces of me did not make them any less mine. Remember, rejection of a thing does not erase or negate a thing!

The truth is that the pieces that I rejected left me ill-equipped, unbalanced, and afraid to live fully. They made me suffer and kept me stuck in relationships and situations that further eroded my self-esteem and undermined my power. But accepting those parts gave me the confidence, knowledge, and power to assume my rightful place in the world.

Here are some questions: what piece of YOU and your history are you rejecting? How is rejecting parts of your past supporting your development and elevation in the future? What are you afraid for others to know, and why?

Whatever you are rejecting, please know that you have the power and strength to bring those pieces of you back home where they belong. And then, you can use them differently and more compassionately in the next season of your life.

Let’s Dare To Soar Higher as we welcome our pieces back home so we can use them as lessons, leverage, and laughter as we SOAR!

Reclaim Your WILL And Find Peace!

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Hey there,

How are you doing?

I wanted to check in because a lot is happening around the world. And honestly, the world feels a bit heavy right now. For some, it may even feel heartbreaking and emotionally exhausting as people struggle to be heard, seen, and protected.

I know many of you may be dealing with conflicting emotions and trying to make sense of contradictory narratives we hear in the media. But as you try to make sense of it all, I want YOU to remember the incredible strength YOU have inside you – the power of your WILL.

Lately, I have been speaking a lot about our WILL because our WILL helps us feel strong and grounded during difficult times. It keeps us hoping, working, advocating, and living without giving up or giving in to vitriol, negativity, and hopelessness. Most of all, our WILL ensures that we stay purposeful and focused as we navigate an evolving and sometimes turbulent world.

As you harness the power of your WILL, here are a few thoughts to consider.

YOU HAVE…..

W – Wisdom. Even though a lot is happening in the world, you have wisdom within and around you to move through complexity and uncertainty. You have inherited and acquired knowledge that you gained from your ancestors, upbringing, communities, spiritual beliefs, and life experiences that provide incredible insight and direction. So, access and apply what you know to make choices that honor your deepest values, desires, and dreams. Especially during political and social unrest, trust your instincts and intuition to navigate the path ahead, trusting that the answers you seek lie within your soul.

I – Imagination. Now more than ever, you must unleash your imagination to think outside the box and dream beyond your current reality. You must look inwardly and pay attention to the messages in your dreams, bypassing evidence, predictions, and naysayers to see opportunities for yourself and others. You must quiet the outside chatter to sense your inner hope and see a future filled with peace, justice, and dignity. Your ability to imagine is directly tied to your ability to create, innovate, problem-solve, and manifest what you need and want. Remember, tomorrow’s answers may not be limited to what you know and see today.

L – Levity. Since the world feels heavy, please make time and create space for joy, passion, play, and rest. Weekly, dedicate a few hours to drawing, laughing, dancing, and singing. Commune with nature, paint a picture, get a massage, or play a sport. Do something fun and light to rejuvenate your spirit, reconnect with your body, and renew your resolve. Levity will relax your mind, which will help you access your wisdom and activate your imagination as you pursue your path.

L – Liberation. Think and choose for yourself. This sounds easy, but opening your mind to new ideas is extremely difficult. But to operate fully in your WILL depends on your ability to listen, learn, and pressure-test what you hear about other countries, communities, and cultures. Because once you free your mind from other people’s beliefs and conclusions, you will create spaciousness for personal revelations, receive divine downloads, and unlock new possibilities for yourself and others. Remember… OPENNESS creates Opportunities.

Life is complex, and there are no easy answers, especially now. However, your WILL can ground and guide you through this unpredictable, challenging time. And when surrounded by supportive friends and fortified by faith, you will make it through this difficult chapter in your life.

I shared more about the power of our WILL in our community podcast. To listen, click here. (Choose a podcast server and subscribe to be notified when I release new episodes.)

As you navigate this uncertain time, you are also invited to join me for a free gathering next week called “Unboxed and Unbothered.” In 60 minutes, we will talk about the power of being unboxed and unbothered during times of transition and growth. It’s free, so sign up now because I am keeping the gathering intimate, so people can feel safe sharing.

My friend, I genuinely believe in the power of our individual and collective WILL – wisdom, imagination, levity, and liberation. And by activating our WILL, we can co-create a safe, secure world for all of us and a unique path just for you!

If this message resonates with your soul, will you do me a favor and share it with a colleague or a loved one? I want to ensure that people know about our community so that they can have support, too.

Remember to register for Unboxed and Unbothered.

Blessings to you!

SharRon