The Chronicles of Jessie: The Story of a Woman Who Succeeded (a story in progress...)

It's a gray spring morning and I've used the quiet time of this morning for an opportunity to clean the house. Vinny's been sick most of the week and things were starting to feel in need of a good de-germing and airing out. Luckily, spring has arrived to our frozen corner of the world and I was even able to open doors and windows. The house is now filled wish the smell of fresh air, candles, coffee, and quiet. *Deep breath* I am enjoying this feeling of freshness immensely.

But that's not what my post is supposed to be about. Hmmmm...where to begin? I want to tell you about a book that I'm reading and LOVING: Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Stanny. I found the book through Jamie after she gave us questions from the book as homework for Circe's Circle. I found the questions interesting and, since I've been putting a lot of focus on my financial well-being these days, I of course ran to the nearest bookstore and bought it. Mind you, I've never shopped in the business/finance section of the bookstore before and I had absolutely no idea that there was anything in that section would be THIS GOOD! I haven't been able to put it down!

The book, however, is not a sit down and read from cover to cover sort of book. It's more like a read a chapter and then do a whole lot of thinking, journaling, excavating, visualizing, and realizing sort of book. I decided early on that I wanted to blog about my experience of moving towards my dream. Granted, dreams are ever-evolving, but I feel truly blessed to be walking the path I'm on. I'm beginning to see how I could even start mapping it all out. And, although we each will have a very unique experience in following our hearts, it's important to me that I share my journey here just in case it should inspire another to do the same. For me, there is nothing more powerful than knowing that there are others striving for similar goals and blogging has been an incredibly empowering tool for connecting and amplifying the positive energy of growth. We are a domino effect gently nudging each other forward--helping each other through our lows and celebrating our accomplishments no matter how large or small.

One thing that I quickly realized in reading Stanny's book is that I fall very easily into her category of UNDER-EARNERS. I mean, I was actually cringing as I read that chapter because of how well I fit all the credentials. I feel as though I have grown a lot in these past few months and also as though my vision has expanded enormously. I look back at the way I thought about what I was capable of having, doing, and earning at the beginning of the Be Brave Project and compare it to where I'm at now and I'm just like: WOW!! I was limiting myself in so many ways! But it's a learning process, isn't it. Because I'm still learning. There's still so much farther to go. Even now (especially now!!) I'm realizing just how many limiting beliefs I've been carrying around...but the weird thing is how much FUN I'm starting to have myth-busting my thinking patterns. Sure, it is sometimes painful and aggravating and enormously frustrating, but the more I experience myself moving past those feelings, the more I am beginning to learn that it IS possible to move past anything!

I'm beginning to think of this blog as "The Chronicles of Jessie." Right now is the part where I get to witness myself move from near poverty to enormous wealth. I've always had issues with money (who doesn't?). I've always equated money with shallowness, mental illness, loneliness, disillusionment, lack of soulful purpose, lies, and unhappiness. When I was in my teens and twenties I boldly committed to living a life true to my heart, not money. I do not regret that because it served me well and pushed me to live a wonderfully non-conventional young life: I traveled the world, lived great adventures, and learned about myself in ways that I could have never learned if I had lived those years striving for money. I lived well and I lived completely.

However, I am beginning to realize that my old beliefs about money no longer serve me. And, if anything, they are a hindrance to my ability to live from my heart. These days I am learning how money can be a positive force. Financial success. That is something I never thought would be a part of my story--that is, until now. I thought that living true to myself meant that I had to live with less. That was the trade-off (or so I thought). But my eyes are just now starting to open up to the possibility that there is no reason in the world why living passionately and soulfully can't bring you everything you want and more.

Yes, so this week, in my mind, I've been blogging about all of these thoughts (a whole lot more eloquently, I might add!), but basically, The Chronicles of Jessie is going to be the story of a girl woman living her dreams. Despite whatever hardships may or may not arise, I think (well, actually I know) I would like to make my life a success story.

I had a happy realization last week that I've made more money doing art than I have doing anything else in my entire life. LIGHT BULB! :) Who said you can't make a living off of art? Who said you can't make a GOOD living off of art? Myth: BUSTED.

Everything is changing and my life is already not the same life that it was before. These days I'm learning how to be open. I'm learning how to discard old crutches and belief systems. And ya wanna know what? ...this week is the first time in years that I've had more money than I actually need to squeak by. Coincidence? I don't think so. I'm nowhere near six-figures (yet? ;)), but I am standing here feeling AMAZED by how good this ABUNDANCE feels!!! :)

Recommended reading: Secrets of Six-Figure Women by Barbara Stanny.

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