Page 13 - HPN_volume3

Community is not an ideal; it is
with best friends
simple pleasures
With realization of one’s own people. It is you and I. In community
potential and self-confidence in we are called to love people just as they
one’s ability, one can build a better dy are with their wounds and their gifts,
world. San not as we want them to be.

—jean vanier

Heidi Ftook me to the other side to something
or 40 years I felt like I lived on an island
with only one bridge that occasionally

bigger, but I never stayed long. I had success-
ful jobs that allowed me to grow, but only
to the height my employer would support.
sit here a few weeks into my Thankfully each of my former employers saw
empty nest, and a few months my season of discontent and realized that what
Ishy of my 50th birthday (Shhh, they offered only lasted a short time for me.
don’t tell!) and what do I have to I was isolated on that island I had created. I
show for it? While I know in my Throughout my years of employment, I took was afraid to trust other business owners with
heart I had the best job in the world classes. Mostly to help me on the job but also my questions, fearful they thought I was going
and played a key role in raising I thank God above that I did. When occasional self-help books at my bedside by au- to fail or gossip to others on my pain. Out of
three incredible young adults who all my success in life, in the you find your tribe, a group of thors like Max Lucado and Joyce Meyer. It was desperation during a rough patch, I did find a
are out there starting their own moments of immense success there people you don’t have to explain when I was introduced to John Maxwell at a mentor through a business affiliation.
journeys, and a good wife to a was a common denominator, I yourself to, who just get it, that seminar that a had a moment of clarity. I found
wonderful husband that has seen didn’t go it alone. I didn’t raise my can tell you what you’re thinking a bit of what was missing and that was me. Richard got me through some of those rough
success and is established in his children alone, I had the help of my when you can’t put it into words, spots which could have been the end to my
career, I feel lost. husband, parents, grandparents, in that have done what you want to do John Maxwell’s words were simple but yet pro- dream. As the years continued so did my per-
laws, a sister etc. When I took 4th in and can mentor you, that want you found. So, over the course of many years and sistence and so did my self-help reading. Then
What do I have to show for all my an international bikini competition, to succeed as much you do, and are when both extra dollars and time permitted, I an opportunity to attend a certification course
years on this earth? That restless when I won barefoot waterskiing willing to help you, with a genuine purchased more of his books. with the John Maxwell organization led me to
feeling is now even stronger. What nationals, I didn’t go it alone. I heart, you grab on tight and don’t Melissa West and Scott Faye.
Our am I meant to do now? Almost 50 had a community of like-minded let go. In 2004, I stepped into my own creative arts The class “Blueprint for Success” was offered at AN ISLAND OF HER OWN
retail store, Creekside Fabrics. With determi-
people behind me supporting me,
with no career to speak of, kids
journey gone. My job on a day to day level encouraging me, pushing me. And When you find the right tribe, it will nation, no fear of long hours, and all the con- the end of the certification. I signed up thinking
it was a seminar to build a better business. But,
fidence that you can put in a big bushel basket,
I do now!
over. Most people at this stage in
feel like home. I now have a feeling
in life is life are looking ahead to retirement, Without my Hot Pursuit of peace over me, a very welcome I was sure working for someone else was in my what I found was it was on building a better me.
I almost walked out! I remember I was still on
rear view mirror.
calmness. I know now with my Hot
and me? I’m still trying to figure out
sweetest what I want to be when I grow up. community, I would NEVER be Pursuit family that I will reach my Here’s what I found; I was stronger than I my Island and thinking only about the business. Contributing Author: SANDY PIRDY
I choose to walk that bridge again, but this time
when All the gremlins, like the dust on writing this. While I have been a potential, that I will inspire people, thought, gutsier than I knew, and I was alone. I stayed a little bit longer and transformation
I will empower them to discover
part of many groups, and they all
shared the penny, were filling my mind. got me to where I am today. All a and reach theirs. Don’t go it alone? Yes, I had a husband and family. But they had took place. Real transformation.
The self-limiting beliefs, “you can’t,
seen the toll long hours and stress was taking,
piece of my journey, like rings on a
Don’t sit day to day, month to
with who would hire you”, “you’re not chain link fence. Each inspired me month, year to year lost in the dust and now they filled my head with doubts. I was That was 2015. I am now building my communi-
ty with the help of Melissa and The Hot Pursuit
qualified”, and “what if you fail”,
not armed with my own support network. I
of those self -limiting beliefs like a
and lead me to the next. Without
others etc. I haven’t had a fulltime job in each of them I would not have found penny under the fridge. There is a needed people like me! Confidants I could draw Nation Community. I know this community was
23 years! I felt depressed.
built for me, and I will be an active community
on when those huge questions or fears ap-
Melissa West and the amazing Hot
community out there made just for
Pursuit community! you!! Is there a penny under your peared. I had to figure them all out on my own. member helping others in their journey.
That is until now. Looking back on fridge, Let’s go see!

12 HOT PURSUIT NATION 13