Definition of: Advance

A forward movement in a purposeful way. Press on. Push Forward. Gain ground. Come closer. Draw near. To make or cause progress. Forge ahead and forge on. 

Life is always advancing with or without our participation. Our mission is to thrive intentionally in motion, in tribe, with passion and compassion, in truth and love and in constant openness to change — building on wisdom, strength, even endurance, patient, confident in problem solving, in care for ourselves and others. 

Sparked growth, often comes after a lightening storm. February’s word did not disappoint. We certainly felt its vibration and heat. Our lives our positively charged by its raw force and brilliance. Yet, isn’t this intensity in our lives what creates our advancement? The value of lightening is what it makes of us. We know the adage, “for things to change, you have to be changed.” How we respond from its strikes determines whether we thrive or wither. Henry Cloud states, “We are not shaped by a string of events that happen to us.  We are shaped by the ways we respond, change and grow as a result of those events.”

Pausing to evaluate our response to the “lightning” in our lives will give us all we need to know on where and how to forge ahead on purpose. 

Firstly, knowing our human nature’s primal response to change and unknowns is for survival and self-preservation.  However, if we get stuck there, it will hinder growth; it leads to the poverty of soul, spiritual immaturity, ultimately altering our true self and our closest relationships. So, move beyond self preservation and survival mentality as quickly as you notice it in operation.

Check the labels. We’ll have a few we place on ourselves that will require acknowledging, resisting and ultimately changing. Labels, such as, “I don’t have the background, skills, energy, resources this will take,” “I’m not smart enough,” “It’s ok, it could be worse,” “No matter what I do, nothing changes anyway,” “I was not chosen,” “It’s too late now,” “I just live in the wrong town, time period or with the wrong person,” “I am the wrong person,” “I can’t afford it,” etc. 

To advance, the scriptures tells us, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds not our behaviors. Our behaviors follow what we believe. So wherever we want to see a change, check and challenge our beliefs around that matter, exchange them with new, better, more truthful and daring ones. Remember it’s in our DNA to grow and advance, it will happen naturally, if we let it. 

Daily Affirmations:  Declare out loud as often as you need to:
I have been made to grow and advance. 
I am a brilliant responder to change.
I’m a quick learner.
I will celebrate my progress and not wait for perfection.
I am great at what I do and get wiser every day.
I am really good at making decisions. 
I will always know what to do, because I pursue great solutions and answers come to those who seek.
God is on my side. I cannot be beaten. 
I attract and surround myself with inspiring people.
I am an inspiration for someone else today. 

Trust and be fierce,

Maggie