How do we bridge the gap between expectations and reality?
The idea we have for our life rarely, if ever, matches up with the life we end up with.
Which is often a blessing in disguise.
Yet something we seldom realize in the thick of difficulty.
Success is not a straight line.
When dreams fall apart, feelings of failure and helplessness often set in.
This is the exact time when we need others to hold the light for us. To be an encourager. To show us the way.
STRATEGIES FOR EMPOWERING OTHERS
Dreams ↔ Failure ↔ Destiny
1. Encourage people by sharing your own stories of difficulty and overcoming.
This helps others understand that no one begins their success journey at the top of the mountain. And that each failure is an opportunity to rise up. Again and again.
2. Hold a safe space for loved ones to ‘not be ok’ when overwhelmed.
Rushing anyone through difficult emotions will prolong feelings of fear, threat, and danger.
Instead, we can flip the switch by leaning into “the overwhelm” and asking: “What are you trying to teach me?”
3. The ultimate encouragement strategy is to believe in someone, especially when they don’t.
This helps shift their mindset from not enough to overflowing. Creating a new heightened vision for life’s unexpected bumps and detours.
Great post. Challenges are obstacles are opportunities. Overcoming them are what makes us stronger. It is all part of our evolution.
Hope you are well.
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Thanks Andrew! I always love hearing from you. Especially on this topic. You are living proof of the evolution of challenge into opportunity! ✏️ 📖
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That is so kind of you to say.Thank you.
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Another great post with uplifting quotes. Thank you Andrea.
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My pleasure Barbara! Wonderful knowing it lifted you up. There’s a one minute video at the top of the post you might enjoy too. 🎥⤴️
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My pleasure!
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This is a great post, Andrea. Thank you. I needed it today.
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Sending you an extra dose of good vibes Norah!
And a great big smile. 😊
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Thank you, Andrea. Received and appreciated. xx
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A terrific post Andrea. I love all your illustrations especially the peaks and troughs. Your video is spot on too.
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Thank you Brigid! For taking the time to watch the video and for your feedback on my post. I always love hearing from you. And imagining you writing your books in your Irish garden of daisies. xo
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I am just in from a bout of gardening. It is such good therapy. X
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I think its why it is so important to become transparent.. It opens the door to humanize ourselves in a way that softens what other perceive to believe while giving way for space to connect and share in something that offers hope, comfort and strength.. Courage can be infectious especially when others see and feel that they are not so alone..
beautiful blog ❤
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“Courage can be infectious especially when others see and feel that they are not so alone..”
So much yes to this!
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Well said, my friend. Owning our stuff, being vulnerable, and recognizing fear isn’t from God can move me forward to try. We’ve not cultivated a culture of perseverance. We’ve done more to encourage–especially younger people–to quit or wait for what’s perfect. Love this, Andrea.
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Agreed!
Our suffering is rarely about the moment itself, but rather our constant need to escape it. Magically thinking that if we only do “A, B, C, D… in perfect order” that Nirvana and all its’ prizes will finally arrive.
Paradoxically, it’s only when we embrace the exquisite imperfections of our present self, time, place, etc. that our thirst for all things “perfect” finally disappear.
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This is incredible. I love the focus on how we’re all here to love one another, and how we can simply and easily hold the light for someone. Thank you. This is so dear to my heart, Andrea. Funny, because last night I had a dream that I was in a place where our natural gifts came out – one of mine is to connect with person to person in kindness, consideration, and caring. Thank you so much for this post, Andrea.
Blessings,
Debbie
ps – there’s a great Tennyson quote “I am a part of all that I have met.” Thought you might like this, given your sharing. 🙂
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“I am a part of all that I have met.”
I love this Debbie!
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I really like #2. I think everyone would be a little better off if they could relax and realize that sometimes its ok, to not be ok. Great read, thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure! Thanks for the feedback!
If you like point #2 in my post, then I bet you’d enjoy this post too – https://drandreadinardo.com/2017/08/02/its-ok-not-to-be-ok/ Something I wrote when I was feeling anything but ok. Writing about it always helps.
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Great post! The second cartoon at top of page reminded me of my life path to where I am today. But I made it with encouraging people and words like these.
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Smiling as I read your note! There is no doubt from your beautiful blog, that you equally encourage and model the high road for all that you meet. p.s. I love that you’re studying psychology! My favourite. 😉
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Thank you!! I try my best every day and thank you for reading! Looking forward to reading more from you 🙂
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Brilliant!
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Thanks Millicent. 😊
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I love this! It is so honest and encouraging and has to be my favourite post Andrea, you are going from strength to strength! X
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We definitely speak (write) the same language! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment Marie. Your words are music (and motivation) to my ears! xo
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Thank you Andrea, that’s lovely of you to say so! It is very encouraging personally and great to know you find it encouraging also! One of the workshops I’m attending in Bonn next week is ‘Encouragement’ and I am grateful to be living it daily! Likewise thank you for your thoughtful reply. I can’t begin to imagine how time consuming it must be to respond to so many followers. xx
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“One of the workshops I’m attending in Bonn next week is ‘Encouragement’ and I am grateful to be living it daily!”
How awesome is this! My only wish would be at this workshop in Bonn with you. ♥️♥️
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Andrea, wouldn’t that be just amazing, to get to meet you and learn along side you! Last year I heard of ICASSI and Bonn but it was only a dream…now it’s just a few days away… it has worked out, so dreams do happen! Xx
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Wonderful! Thanks for the motivation. 💜
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My pleasure Jenny Marie. 🙂
Love knowing it motivated you!
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Thanks for this helpful post.
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My pleasure! 🙂
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Beautiful post! I think the rocky paths make you appreciate the straight roads.
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Thanks for your feedback & your contribution to this post. So true when you say “the rocky paths make you appreciate the straight roads”. 🚘💥
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SO true. I’m slowly learning not to get so pissed off at the detours! 🙂
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DEtours DEtours DEtours … funny how life is! We think it’s supposed to go “just so”. And then the universe shakes us up with a bigger and better plan for our lives. The “catch” is that we don’t realize it until the end (of the journey). Wishing you a smooth sail until the weekend Boomergirl! With just enough of a bump in the road (ocean) to keep life interesting.
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