Today’s post naturally follows a blog from last week. I wrote about the idea that we’ll never be happy if we rely on something or someone in the future to validate our actions and solve the problems that lay in front of us today. This mentality guided my life until about four years ago. At that time I was newly engaged and living with my fiance (now husband).
I made some major shifts:
- I stopped relying on events and people to validate whether my path was “right” or “wrong”.
- I started listening to what I truly wanted from my life.
- I began standing up for myself in situations that compromised my well-being.
This was terrifying. Things fell apart. I was used to making situations easy and comfortable, but the “new me” seemed to be messing everything up. My whole life felt like it was crumbling, but at the same time, I was being true to myself for the first time. I was free to relax, free to listen to the voice inside me, and free to express my true desires. I want to be clear that this freedom was not something that a person had taken from me. This was my own choice. I was just too afraid until that time to stand up for myself. And no one else can do that for you.
I coped with this uncomfortable scary dark (but freeing!) time by writing. My first (unfinished) novel was born. I joined a writer’s group and started to dream about being a novelist. I had a heart connection with my creative writing, but it seemed like an impossible goal as a career. Still, the desire to be a published author was so clear, I couldn’t ignore it.
Luckily, some amazing people entered my life who helped me move forward toward my aspirations. I knew the moment Steve and I met our wedding officiant, Anne (Interfaith Minister & Healing Touch Practitioner), that she was someone I could talk to about my troubles and hopes. Not only did she support and guide me during that time, she continues to be a friend and mentor today. Anne also recommended Aurora (a medium) at breathe books, who I still look to for advice and comfort (I talked to her this week!). Another wonderful woman, Anjali (Founder of Baltimore Yoga Village), came into my life soon after this shift began. Her entrepreneurial spirit inspired me to take chances! The open-mindedness and encouragement of these three women, along with my wonderful (new and old) friends and family, gave me the support I needed to consider new possibilities for the future. The more I opened my mind and heart to positive and creative people, the more I met!
My first break-through came when I decided that I wanted to live in Hampden, a quirky Baltimore neighborhood that I’ve always adored. At the time, Steve and I were living in a carriage house downtown. Steve was not 100% on board with the idea of buying a home (we didn’t have the money and it wasn’t really “practical”), but I wouldn’t give up on the idea. I even attended a Hampden Community Council meeting by myself and joined, even though I didn’t live there! When I expressed my interest in buying a home to my new friend and writing mentor, Hope Keller, she recommended I call her realtor. I convinced Steve that we would “just look” and because he is so easy going, he humored me. Not only did we buy a house three months later, it ended up being in the perfect location-Hampden. Even better, our realtor, Brooks Nobel, has become one of my most treasured friends (and she’s the best Realtor in Baltimore!).
This experience sparked something inside me and I started reading about manifesting my dreams, which led to some things that still amaze me today. More to come later this week on how I quit my 9-5 job, moved to an ashram for a month, and started working for Kris Carr after seeing her documentary film, Crazy Sexy Cancer, on tv…
I found my center, my purpose, and my heart through writing and I’m here to help you do the same. I work with entrepreneurs, authors, academics, and other driven individuals to help them find their voice on the page. 
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
This is one of my favourite stories. I could hear/read it over and over forever!! By letting your light shine, you give others permission to do the same! Thank you
Thank you for being such a bright light! Your comments are always to positive and encouraging. Where’s your blog? ; )
I love hearing these stories! Keep them coming! You are so inspirational!! XOXO
I’m so happy you think so! I’ll be following up with Pt. 2 this week:) You’re pretty inspirational yourself, lady! XO
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Corinne, you are such a gentle, amazing, beautiful, talented, and inspiring spirit! You are so worthy of pure bliss. I hope you continue to find more and more happiness. xoxoxo
Thank you, Maria! Same to you:)
Thank you!
Lots of love xoxo
You are so amazing, lady!
Right back at you! You’ve been such a huge inspiration to me:)
{ 4 trackbacks }