Believe It, Say It, See It...

As far as accomplishing your dream, when do you call it finished? When you decide on it, or when you see it realized?

Most people feel they are lying to themselves (and everyone else) if they talk as if their dream is true before it is manifested for all to see.

I heard an interview with internet mogul, Alex Mondossian. He described a day when he was broke and sitting on a park bench in L.A. On that bench, Alex decided to become wealthy. At the end of the interview, the interviewer, T. Harv Eker, asked him, "When did you actually become a millionaire?"

Alex answered the question in reference to time, but he added, "In reality, I became a millionaire that day on the park bench, when I made the decision."

Faith calls those things that are not, as though they were.

This reminds me of an experience I had with some friends of mine:

When I was a teenager, I was often invited to speak at elementary schools and other convocations on the subject of success, and goal achievement. I usually spoke to fairly small audiences (less than 2thousand people.) However, I had some good friends who were also motivators who had much bigger vision. I usually traveled with them to give them my support, although their audiences were often small as well.

One day as we set up for an audience of about 100, the leader of that group said, "Next time we come to this city, we'll pack out the coliseum."

I tried not to laugh.

He went on to coach his announcer in how to describe him for his entrance, and let's just say, the introduction was not modest. In fact, it also, seemed laughable.

About three years later, I was attending college in a different city, when this man's wife called me to say they were in my town, and I should come see them at their high school assembly. I did, and we had a blast, so she encouraged me to come to their evening meeting. She named the auditoreum and the time.

"Wow!" My eyebrows shot up with surprise when she mentioned the venue. "That's huge!" I said.

"Yes," she replied, "Things are going well."

Since the auditorium was the same place used in that town for major concerts, I figured there would be tons of seats. I did not head over particularly early, as I knew I could go straight back stage when I got there. However...

I never got there. As I approached the meeting place, there was so much traffic, that traffic cops had to turn me, and hundreds of others away. Packed out. I was stunned.

I drove back to my apartment, and as I did, I heard my friends' ad on the radio. It included the same inflated, laughable description of the group leader, but this time, I wasn't laughing. It had all come true.

When I got home, I threw myself on my bed, and prayed that whatever lesson I had just witnessed, would be indelibly imprinted on my heart. What was the lesson?

1. Faith sees ahead and "calls those things that are not as though they were."
2. It doesn't matter how many other people doubt your vision. It's what you say and believe about yourself that matters.
3. When you combine commitment and action to your dream, nothing is impossible.

Over the next 18 years or so, I would occasionally learn a few more lessons from this man. Some were inspiring, others downright devastating. Right now I want to focus on the inspiration.

All of us were created with seeds of greatness inside. Your greatness does not need to be in front of thousands of people to be mighty. You just need to know that whatever dream keeps burning inside of you, is definitely possible, and available. It is yours for the taking.

Can you imagine it? Can you feel it? What about the doubts - your doubts?

Here is one solution for handling doubts. I call it, "grabbing the pain."

When you think of your dream, and you sense a big objection, doubt or fear, don't try to run away from it. Instead, do just the opposite.

Remember, every single thing we are dealing with is energy. Your emotion is an energy. So if you feel it at all, close your eyes and try to get really "in touch" with that negative energy. Feel where it is in your body. Does it feel like it is in your belly, or outside of you? Can you picture it? Can you make it stronger? Try to let it get as big as possible, as strong as it can...and then, go find the center of it, and try to "grab it."

Yes, this can seem like a very abstract exercise! However, if you can grab it, here's what you'll probably notice:

The center has opened up, and the negative energy is gone. It's power to mess you up is over.

In fact, the entire energy may have just faded away. Try to make your dream as vivid and stressful as possible. Try to dream again, and feel that same big doubt. If you can't find the doubt, you have done well. It probably will not return on that exact same vision.

So, remember to believe in your dream, and give voice to it. Take a few minutes a day to experience how it feels for that dream to be a reality. Believe it and say it. Certainly, before long, you will see it with your eyes.

Biblical reference - Abraham, who was enabled to have that baby, Isaac when he was 100 years old. God changed his name to mean, "Father of many nations" years before it looked true.

Romans 4:17
As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed - the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

How to Kill a Giant

Do you have any issues in your life that seem to be bigger than you?

Looking back on my life there have been some things that really used to overwhelm me. For example, some of you know that for a few years when I was between the ages of 16 and 22, I suffered from an eating disorder. Interestingly, the years that I spent at my last Bible College, contained almost no eating struggles at all. This was probably because I was constantly in the Word, and hanging around people who were filled with a spirit of faith. (I'm not sure what that says about my subsequent year as a full time minister...)

Ultimately, I learned to "repack my backpack" and think totally differently about food and my self. I haven't thought much about calories or my weight for the last 17 years or so, and I have had those four darling kids. Somehow, I still have ripped, "six-pack" abs.

But that is not really what this post is about.

I want to talk about killing giants. Bulimia was perhaps the most dominant giant in my life, but I always knew that overcoming it, would equip me to face anything else that came my way.

One thing I know for sure is that the company you keep plays a huge part in the success you will reap.

Let's look at the most famous giant killer in history- David. Before David publicly slew Goliath, he privately killed both a lion and a bear, who happened to be threatening the sheep in his care. David was just a giant killer, whether any one was watching or not.

Key #1: Remember that the battles you win in private grant you the right to win in public.

Poor Saul, never had that opportunity, so...

Soon after David's amazing public victory, the would-be king found himself running for over a dacade from King Saul who had gone perfectly mad with jealousy.

Key #2: Never cave in to jealousy.

It was during this season that all of the Losers of the Land joined themselves to David. He gathered about 400 men who were "in debt, distress, and discontented" and they became the mightiest fighters in history. Their exploits became legendary, and from among them arose more giant killers.

Key #3 -If you want to become a giant killer, then hang around true giant killers!

I have the most incredible relationships with some amazing "giant-slaying" types of people. They are so good for me. With them I can share my doubts and limiting beliefs and they can look me in the eye and laugh, not at me - but at the silly belief. And sometimes, in a moment, that giant is downed.

I hope you are surrounded by people like that.

If not, refuse to be intimidated by people who have conquered those giants that still prevail against you. Instead, befriend the giant killers. You may find out that in reality, those heroes are not bigger than you, they have just climbed a bit higher. Most likely, they will be happy to extend a hand to pull you up as well. (Besides, you can bet they still have a few issues of their own.)

If you can't spend time with them in person, than saturate yourself with their materials. Read their books; listen to their voice. You will soon share their spirit of faith.

Disclaimer - It goes without saying that the "enemies" and "giants" that we destroy in our lives are never people!

Now, go play!

See 1st Samuel 22, 1 Chron 20,

2 Samuel 22:38-40
38 "I pursued my enemies and crushed them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
39 I crushed them completely, and they could not rise; they fell beneath my feet.
40 You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet.

Recognizing Value

Back in the 90's when Paul and I were living in Germany, we enjoyed an occasional care package from Paul's grandma, Paula. Usually they were filled with small surprises and several newspaper clippings regarding the Padres, the Chargers, or any other San Diego news of interest.

On one occasion, the contents included a single pair of women's full- coverage panties. They were 100% polyester, obviously not brand new, and they looked huge. Although they were not at all my style, they were clearly intended for me, so I curiously read the accompanying note out loud to Paul:

"My dearest Gina,

These perfectly good underwear washed up on the shore at La Jolla, so I took them home and washed them, and you are the only person I know who is small enough to wear them. Enjoy!"

My husband howled with laughter.

Now, over the years, Grandma blessed us with thousands of dollars in gifts, so this was just an occasion to smile at, and glean from her values. It is said that wealthy people recognize things of value.

Grandma certainly lived wealthier than we did. We used to chuckle that she would pull over on her way to the opera to pick up a discarded aluminum can.

What did I learn from her? I learned to appreciate the days of humble beginnings. I learned to stop and admire all things of value. Even today in her honor, if I see a small coin on the ground, I always pick it up and gratefully acknowledge that there is no shortage of money underneath my feet. Then I often place it back on the ground for the next value- spotting soul. It's my gift, to those who walk in gratitude.

Most people won't acknowledge that little coin. Most people lose sight of the abundance that is all around them.

Did I wear the washed-up underwear? Well no. Everyone asks me that! I did, however, cherish the memory for years to come.

Today, I hope you can enjoy the simple things...and then laugh a little!

-Gina

On Being Vulnerable

I have just returned from San Diego where I gathered with about 20 other coaches to launch our businesses to new heights.
I expected it to be a fruitful time. I was unprepared for the genuine love that would bond us all together so quickly.
How did we get so close to eachother? We let ourselves be vulnerable. We knew that we were safe.
As we tackeled the emotional barriers that keep us short of our potential, we cheered each other on. We gave to each other the kind of compassion and faith that we normally give our clients and loved ones.
It made me proud to be a coach; to work in a field with so many of pure heart.
It also made me wonder how any one in this world reaches their highest potential without a skilled and loving coach in their corner. Where else does one go week in and week out, where she is totally safe, can be totally vulnerable, and find healing, and unlimited success?
I know one thing for sure, I am committed to bringing increase to as many people as come my way. I want the world to know there is a safe place.

Proverbs 20:18
Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.

When Your Worst Day is Still Pretty Good

Okay, it is Thursday night, and I have been in bed with the flu since sometime on Monday. I don't recall ever feeling this poorly this long, but I do know one thing: This too shall pass.

Today my heart goes out to all of the dear people who take chemotherapy to try to whip some cancer, and the treatment makes them feel so sick, for months at a time.

In light of that, a silly little flu is just no big deal at all.

I'll be back soon, stronger than ever.