Reinventing Yourself from the Bottom of the Stairs...

Theresa's story intrigued me. She was an award winning songwriter and former guest on my radio program. I remember her saying, "People always talk about being down and out but no one ever talks about being up and out." The phone lines lit up like diamonds. This interview was the most successful radio talk hour I had conducted in 5 years. Ms. T. had reinvented herself.

Reinventing yourself is demanding work because essentially you are starting over from ground zero. I know. I'm living the words that I write. You intend to meet your goals, but sometimes life holds us a bright red STOP sign. In 2003, one year after relocating down South, I had emergency open-heart surgery and my whole world changed. As did with *Iris, a high profile television producer with a six-figure income reduced to divorce and food stamps. *Ivan, a 43-year old acclaimed writer reduced to living with his mother. And *Ivy, single mother to a son...purchased her first home and then lost her job. We all can relate to hardship; however, we must learn the powerful value in reinventing our lives. How do you make intelligent choices while standing in the line of fire? Good question, so let's explore the most important work you will ever do. (*Names protected)

When you are face-to-face with misfortune, first, go ahead and scream, cry, or jump up and down. Theresa was admitted. So do whatever is necessary to release that tension. Life happens and you are not exempt from its sting. Afterward, breathe and calm down. A calm mind is able to perceive and interpret what is possible. Next, look at the challenge for what it is. Ask yourself is it urgent? Accurate? Did I create this mess or did life invite itself into my space? Author Guy Finley says, "Our lives are nothing but a series of invitations, a series of moments in which we run into what we don't know." Adversity knocks because it's time for you to know the unknown. Time to step out of your comfort zone and into the twilight zone--its' time to reinvent yourself.

To reinvent yourself is to reevaluate your choices. When the pressure is on--and it can get real interesting--you feel as if God doesn't recognize you. My guests and I felt that way. However, I knew deep in my heart that I was nowhere near my best self. I ran from her. You may be running too. Yet, there is an urgent need for more movers and shakers on the front line. So STOP and allow God to float to the TOP of the POT that you're boiling in leaving you without a SPOT. You feel me?

I believe that because we are gifted nothing is against us (James 1:2-8). Christ's high standard was given to reveal our greatness and that includes overcoming the odds. Presently, managing my health is my greatest challenge. Sometimes the pain in my body overwhelms me to tears. But the pain of abject poverty and unhappiness is greater. Therefore, we must recognize the challenge for what it is and do the work required to step up onto the next stair. I am pregnant with revenue producing ideas and prepared to give birth to my brainchild when I am guided to push. And I'll push to deliver excellence.

MY DISCOVERY: Use whatever you have to start over from wherever you land. Who can tell what we shall find? All we have is right now, so right now reinvent yourself from the bottom of the stairs. While you're down there pray to God for strength, faith and wisdom as you step up on each stair. LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! We all have a story. Prepare to share yours one day.