A Starfish Story

Sometimes you just need one person who believes in you, your heart, your intentions and your dreams to help you keep moving forward when everyone else is telling you all the reasons you shouldn’t. From the moment we met Stacy has helped me come out of my shell, not only by going on adventures, but growing together in a mind, body, spirit kind of way.

I feel more confident in who I am, because I had a mentor to show me how to fully embrace who I was as a person, to love my mind, body and quirky spirit. She celebrated the attributes I once thought of as negative like ‘stubbornness’ and helped me reframe this to ‘persistent or determined’, which led to setting goals, and then achieving them.

She consistently encouraged me to level up in all areas of my life. We would talk philosophically to process through self-esteem issues that were keeping me from being brave enough to be authentically me. She encouraged me to remember who I really am inside. By asking simple questions and waiting for the answer so I could say it out loud.

Like, what do I really believe? What do I really stand for? Do your actions match? She asked me hard questions, called me out and encouraged me to be authentic as she was practicing being too, in her own way.

She and I had a strong soul connection that led to a special kind of relationship. She taught me that what’s more important than having someone else believe in you; was that I must believe in myself.

Very big sister like advice, I am sure I have heard it many times in many ways. She was an example of what it looked like to own your uniqueness and passions to make them feel like they were the best part of your magical charm. Which is, of course, true!

I have wanted to write a book for a very long time but never had the confidence to try, I would tell Stacy about my dream of being an author for years. When Stacy suggesting we write a book together. I agreed, now somehow brave enough to try.

I thought that I needed someone to hold my hand. Though the truth was I didn’t. Part of me was not ready to believe in myself quite yet. What she offered was a supportive friendship to hold me accountable.

Her assistance and encouragement helped bring me structure I needed as well. The moment we decide to write a book together; we set a goal of 3-5 pages per week. Every week, we surpassed this goal swiftly.

The first book “Lessons through Joy” was written in about four months. Our other stories flowed so freely, we continued to write and write some more. We ended up with enough chapters to fill a three-book trilogy. I was doubting myself, looking for approval from others instead of just believing in my own abilities. When I put effort into it I found out there was nothing to be fearful of, only my own doubts kept me idle.

It has been a wonderful literary adventure with my dear friend, we have had the most amazing journey just to get where we are today. Our three book proposals are almost complete and will be ready for submission to publishing companies by the end of the month. We are both full of excitement and anticipation for what the future may hold, yet we know whatever happens will be as it should. We feel blessed to be going through this amazing journey together.

When I learned how to believe in myself fully I realized that no matter what happens I will be okay. If we sell a few books or if we sell a few million books… or none at all. I know that I will be proud of myself for trying. I will be happy that I found the confidence to attempt a shot at making my dream reality, instead of being too scared to give it a go.

It was my friend Stacy that encouraged me to run for State House of Representatives when the opportunity arrived. She reminded me to believe in myself; she reminded me to own my authentic self by putting my political passion to work in real and tangible ways.

She asked. “The Universe gave you this gift of opportunity; don’t you want to go down the path to see where it leads?” Leaving it to sound like an adventure, because she knows I love adventures.

This was how one person helped me grow into my skills with confidence. Her help encouraged me to believe in my dream chasing, adventurous self… because that is authentically me.

Stacy was the person who believed in me, encouraged me, and helped me when I was a starfish beached on the shore. She saw that being stuck in the sand was not where I was supposed to be. It takes only one kind and nurturing friendship that can lead by example to do this.

Isn’t his is what it means to be the change you wish to see in the world?

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~

https://emyminzel.com

@emyminzel