Clucking-like-a-hen-proud at friend/client's biz launch

Doing the work I do is not always easy.  Not everyone is ready to trudge through the psychological dungeons, business labyrinths, relationship conundrums and financial fears to make the leap from corporate to entrepreneur.

But when someone does, I cannot describe how elated it makes me feel.

My whole body gets tingly and I simultaneously want to squeal with excitement and cry. 

This feeling is absolutely, positively why I have chosen this work.  And I felt it today, when my friend and client Ivan Martinez shared the link to his new photography website.

Ivan is a former marketing/sales executive who decided to devote his work to a long-time passion:  photography. 

He spent months refining technical skills, taking pictures for his portfolio, connecting with others, examining business models and challenging his own "social self" thoughts about what was the "right" thing to do in order to respect his creative self and take care of his family at the same time.

He is at the very beginning of his business launch, but in many ways is miles away from his point of origin as a corporate employee.

It reminds me of my favorite set of quotes, the first from W.H. Murray:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets:

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!

The second is from Marianne Williamson:

"...Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small doesn't serve the world.  There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do.  We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Congratulations Ivan on your hard work, faith, perseverance and willingness to trust your gut.  We wish you much success in your business!

If you want to visit his blog and leave any comments/suggestions for his site, I know he would really appreciate it.

Comments

[Chris Johnston]

Great post and so true. It's also very hard to believe this when you are actually doing it but so great afterwards.

[Paul M.]

Pam, you are a guide that helps people go through this tiny bridge and leave the dark side behind :)

"You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do."

This is so true. This pain that you can feel in your chest. This energy that wants to be relieved.

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You are really kind Paul. I can't take the credit for the big changes, that ALL has to do with the person themselves. I love to cheer people on and provide options, which often is enough for them to start making major moves.

All the best,

-Pam

[Kelly]

GO Ivan! So cool. So exciting!

Have read and love both quotes and will cut out and paste on ye ol' dream board tonight!

Thanks Pam...