"Do not sit on your medicine."

Inspired by the work of Melanie DewBerry
By Laurel Elders

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Facing the Imposter Syndrome

An Interview of Sandy Hogan
By Laurel Elders

“Sandy, can you share more about your thoughts on the imposter syndrome?”  I started our daily interview.
 
 “Ahh, yes. It arises when an individual believes they are not as they present. It happens in all walks of life."

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How to Follow Inner-Guidance With Confidence

An Interview of Sandy Hogan
By Laurel Elders
 
We all have it. That inner knowing. That sensation within gleaming “yes” or dropping down in the pit of our stomach warning “no”.
 
Whether or not we follow it… Well, that is another question. 

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The Heart of Self-Worth

An Interview of Sandy Hogan
By Laurel Elders
 
Laurel: What is at the core of having a solid self-worth?
 
Sandy: "Early and consistent positive validation. For people to know how their children are hard-wired. Parents often parent as if they are them. Parents do this when they develop conscious parenting approaches, unconditional positive regard, curiosity aka “What does the child want?” and emotional intelligence.  Someone once said, “No matter how tall your grandfather was you still have to do your own growing.”"
 
Sandy and I further discussed how not everyone has the luxury of such a childhood. Even those in a privileged home experience childhood wounding. 

There is a theory in the roots of the Enneagram that our first wounding...

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When your calling calls - don't hang up!

"After asking Sandy last week about the top 10 reasons that people do not follow their calling, I asked her, "What advice do you have to overcome these?"  

"Sandy said, "Even in the Bible it talks about the time in each boy and girl's life when it is time to give up childhood and cleave to their spouse. This message goes beyond growing up to get married. Metaphorically it alludes to us growing up and maturing through cleaving to something greater than ourselves.

"She continued, "What are the conditions in your life that get you to say "yes", "no", or "maybe" to that which is greater than you?"  In other words, what is it you need to take that next step to the next chapter? 

"Below are The 7 Steps To Answering the Call so that if your calling is calling you don't hang up the phone!"

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How do I know if I'm called to something greater?

"As my friend and mentor Sandy puts it, "Develop your hearing-aids".  Below, I've captured Sandy's advice and further reflections for our Answering Your True Calling blog. 

"Sandy's advice on Answering Your True Calling: 

"Listening to the small callings is an invitation for hearing the bigger calling. Listening to the small along the way, in day to day life, prepares the path and grows our faith so that by the time the bigger calling shows up we are ready."

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The Top 10 Reasons People Don't Follow Their Calling
By Sandy Hogan
Reflections by Laurel Elders
 
"This last month as been bitter-sweet for me. One of my first coaches, mentors, and our senior faculty at our Institute, Sandy, was diagnosed with cancer. I've been by her side every-day care-taking and offering advocacy while she is in recovery.
 
"During my time with this truly amazing woman, she has opened up her wisdom to me on answering your calling, to share with you.  During my visits with her, she invites me to ask her a question and she then channels her wisdom as I write for her." ​

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Handling the Regret of Missed Opportunities

"This week we will look at how to handle the callings we haven't answered, how to let go of these so that they don't hold us back and how to move forward.

"As I've been looking at the concept of "callings" closer through this series, I've had some realizations. For whatever reason I'm great at answering my bigger callings. I will take on large community projects, donate my time, teach, coach, mentor or contribute in other ways. Yet, what stops me short are the daily promptings. The prompting to offer a homeless person my left-overs, make that phone call to an old friend, or gift the last protein bar in my purse. The small ones, I find easier to argue with.  

"Regardless, it is all ok to not be perfect, but it is important to be aware."

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The Challenge of Answering the Call - Laurel's Triumphs

​"It is 2005. I look over at the man to my left just outside my car, panhandling for food, money or a smile. I feel called to gift him my protein bar. Hey, that is not enabling, he can’t buy booze with it. Then the inner-critic chimes in. "You know he might be a rapist. Or, if you role your window down he could grab you. What if he starts yelling about politics?" The light turns green, I go about my day. That moment tugging at me momentarily, then passing."

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Video: Awakening to More to Life Than Meets the Eye
Video: Spiritual Perspectives on Human Potential