Here We Go!

"You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take." -  Michael Jordan

This quote is where I start this new journey for EnRich Your Soul.

You see, all my life I’ve been a predominantly positive person. The one people go to with problems, concerns, or when they need an ear or a shoulder. I was a peer counselor in high school for 4 years; literally my only formal training to this point. I’ve just always had the desire and God given ability to help people. Whether it’s been something conversational like advice, how to get out of a rut, or just getting over the hump of negativity.

As I mentioned, a lot of the source of how I help people comes from a 2nd nature ability to have people to open up to me. I’ve been told countless times how anyone from a stranger to my best friends feel completely at ease talking with me about the most personal of details in their lives. A lot of who I am is molded from my own personal struggles: weight, depression, insecurity, and low self-esteem. I’ve seen the darkest of times in myself, only to find the strength and faith to climb out of it.

Through thousands of conversations and thousands of hours of building my own character from times of shambles, I’ve come out on the other side a strong person than I’ve ever been. I understand and respect my past, but only as teaching tools on how to approach my present and future

I’ve been asked over and over again, “Why didn’t you go into psychology/counseling? You’re so good at listening and helping people!” Truth is, at the time of deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up at 18, psychology seemed like too long of a schooling path and I didn’t have the patience at the time to go that route; something I’ve always regretted in the back of my mind. So now, I simply consider myself the best counselor that doesn’t have a wall o’ certificates. By no stretch of the imagination do I consider myself a trained professional nor would I ever consider my goal to assist people who truly need professional help. Who am I then? Well, I’m simply the most positive person you know and someone who will shoot you straight, who will be a massive cheerleader for you and a source of turning your mind around and going in the right direction.

Over the past 2 years I’ve had this page on Facebook for EnRich Your Soul. It just started as a place to post some positive words, thoughts, or memes to encourage people. I started this page after seeing various social media outlets doing similar things and at the encouragement of friends and family who wanted me to continue exercising my natural gifts of communication and help.

It’s simply remained as a basic, no frills Facebook page….until this year.

Candidly, I’ve been terrified of this day for the last year. When I heard the words, “You really should make this ‘EnRich Your Soul’ thing bigger,” from a friend, I knew they were right. It made my heart happy thinking of reaching out to as many people as possible, speaking to large groups, motivating the masses to a more positive life. Seizing the uplifting energy around me while ridding myself of the negative past that held me down so many times. Parallel to that excitement was fear. The fear that comes with truly putting yourself out there, shining the spotlight on what you believe, chasing your dream with the fervor and passion that most could only want in their daily lives.

What if I sucked? What if people didn’t buy into it? What if I never made it past a few blog posts and a video or two?

I go back to the quote and to all of the conversations I’ve ever had. It’s all about trying it. If I would have been scared of investing my time and emotion in people, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today. I’ve brought people out of depression, helped them chase their dreams, find love in themselves and have even talked a few out of ending their lives.

I have to try and make this bigger and reach more people. I was given this ability to communicate and I would be selfish in not sharing it with as many people as I can. I encourage you to do the same this year. What have you been putting off? What have you talked yourself out of? No matter if it’s singing in a karaoke bar, reconciling with a relative or starting your own business, make it happen and #starttoday!

Just know that I believe in you and I want you to believe in yourself.

So, off we go into 2015, taking shots, succeeding, failing and learning…..together.