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t’s amazing how life works, the ups and the birds in big heavy metal objects. How many of us like, those elephants, have
downs, the peaks and the valleys, the high’s conditioned ourselves to stay stuck in careers
Ithe lows, the good times and the bad. This These valleys, down times, and bad times can we hate, or afraid to take risks, to make the
thing called “life” is a roller coaster. Each ex- lead us to a life we only imagined in our changes necessary to go for our dreams, be-
perience teaches us things about ourselves, dreams. If we only focused on the door slam- cause of the self-limiting beliefs we tell our-
our strengths, our weaknesses, who we are as ming in our face, our perceived failure, we selves, or others place on us. We remain stuck
a person, about our character, our inner soul. would never see the window open behind us. if “life” isn’t forcing us to make changes, and
When things are out of whack they can shake View those challenges in life as an opportuni- even then, how far out of that comfort zone
us to our core, and when they’re good, they ty to go on an adventure, as a stepping stone would we venture?
put us on cloud nine. to break the chains of the self-limiting beliefs
keeping us rooted in place. Use those times as For so many years I was like those magnificent
The experiences also set the course our life an opportunity to reinvent your life, yourself. animals, stuck, feeling restless, unfulfilled,
will take. And through moments of hardship It reminds me of a very powerful story I once lacking vision, low feeling of self-worth. Want-
and uncertainty is when we have the oppor- heard about elephants. ing more, knowing I had more to offer, yet
tunity to truly grow. It is digging deep with- paralyzed in the belief of it will never work,
in, finding the courage, our inner strength to “As my friend was passing the elephants, he how will I ever, I don’t know what, how, who
put one foot in front of the other. To make suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that would, and so on and so on.
changes necessary to take action when we these huge creatures were being held by only breaking through and breaking free through coaching
don’t even feel like getting out of bed. It is in a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, While being a part of a community of like-
those moments we are forced to move our- no cages. It was obvious that the elephants minded people helps with support and en-
selves forward. Whether that action propels could, at any time, break away from the ropes couragement, I often found that I would com-
us to happiness and success, or another fail- they were tied to but for some reason, they pare myself to others in the group and wonder Legacy Member and Sparkle Mom Founder shares her experience of
ure, the self-discovery can be incredible even did not. My friend saw a trainer nearby and why I couldn’t do it. It would cause the neg-
life changing. asked why these beautiful, magnificent ani- ative self-talk to blare in my head, therefore
mals just stood there and made no attempt keeping me rooted in place, and because of it
If life were a cake walk it wouldn’t challenge to get away. I spent many years depressed, unfulfilled, and
breaking the us, and therefore wouldn’t change us. With- feeling left behind.
out challenges we could never discover the “Well,” he said, “when they are very young
strength within ourselves to do things we and much smaller we use the same size of It was only when I started working with Craig
chains that never thought possible, to truly grow in all as- rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough Bryan as my coach that the real magic began

to hold them. As they grow up, they are con- happening. You see Craig asks me the tough
pects from personal to professional.
bind Those gremlins of self-doubt are powerful They believe the rope can still hold them, so self. He doesn’t let me off the hook. It is hard.
ditioned to believe they cannot break away. questions, and makes me find the answers my-

I often struggle, but through his patience and
and can keep you rooted in place, the fear of they never try to break free.”
guidance, I have found the answers.
failure or losing financial security are powerful
Heidi out of the familiar, the safe, our comfort zone selves to break those ropes holding them in I realize I had the ability all along, I don’t need
arguments to staying comfortable. To venture You see, the elephants had it within them-

can be super scary, but the risk can also be place, to break free, they were big enough, anyone telling me! He brings them out of me,
very rewarding. If no one dreamed the impos- strong enough, had everything within them- as a result I have grown so much. He also en-
sible and took risks there would be no auto- selves to live a life of freedom, but remained courages me to then act on those new discov-
mobiles, electricity, and if those dreamers and stuck in place because they were conditioned eries, hence writing articles, holding retreats,
doers listened to the voice of self-doubt or the to believe they couldn’t break the ropes hold- and more. Without him I would not be break-
people telling them they were crazy, we sure ing them captive.
me.
as heck wouldn’t be flying through the air like ing free of the hold those gremlins have on

Contributing Author: HEIDI LESKO

24 HOT PURSUIT NATION 25