I created Be Deliberate back in 2004.
The founding quote is:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you imagine.”
– Henry David Thoreau
and
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”
– Goethe / William Hutchinson Murray
I knew and felt strongly back then, as I still do now, that I wanted to encourage people forward with their dreams. In doing so, I encouraged myself to do the same. I felt like if I could truly LIVE the Deliberate life, maybe it would inspire other people to do the same. That has always been my intention. Be Deliberate is designed for intentional living.
Fast forward 11 years!
I have posted many positive / inspiring quotes, some more reflective quotes, been through some tough times, cried, laughed, thought maybe I wouldn’t make it through, held on, kept trying, searching and taking baby steps, some of which involved simply posting those quotes. It was my way of moving forward and holding the intention when I didn’t know what else to do. Words on a page have always held great power and been a source of encouragement for me.
Although I have always been slowly moving forward even when it didn’t feel like anything was happening, it seems that things have always been developing in the unseen, aligning and even conspiring in my favour. The biggest turnaround happened on a particular day in February 2015, which I will always remember.
The brief version of the story, which I will share in full another time, involved me emailing master life coach and author Steve Chandler, after hearing his audio “Making a Difference” which helped me turn around a tough day in my work over at School of Scratch and reframe my creations and purpose in a positive way. It got me wondering what life coaching is and how I might do more with Be Deliberate and my original intention to help other people live the life they imagine. I dared to think, “what if I could become a life coach? Is that even possible?”
In the email, I asked Steve what steps a person could take to become a life coach. I didn’t even really know much about life coaching, other than from an experience of using a small book which had helped me called “Your Pocket Life Coach” which I would dive into from time to time with the aim of moving myself forward. I had always written lists and journaled about ideas for my life. I had also received audios and information via Steve’s email list for which I am eternally grateful.
I can’t tell you how nervous I was sending such a simple email via Steve’s site. Thoughts such as “who are you to think about being a life coach when your life is far from ok” and “who are you to ask Steve Chandler anything about coaching”, “what a stupid crazy idea, that will NEVER be a reality” ran through my head. I’m so glad I didn’t let those voices stop me from taking what felt at the time like bold action. I told myself, “it’s ok, I am just taking the first step, that’s all I need to do. I am prepared to do the work and take the steps I need to”. I hit send and completely forgot about the question, not even expecting to get a reply. I had taken a step forward.
I was so wrong about not receiving a reply.
I believe it was the very next day I got an email response from a lady and life coach called Arminda Lindsay who Steve has passed my details onto. Arminda offered to have a Skype conversation with me about coaching. I nervously accepted. That one conversation changed my life and that is another story in and of itself.
I began coaching with Arminda back in February. I cannot even begin to tell you everything that has changed and occurred in the last 8 months as a result in this one post. EVERYTHING has changed and will never be the same. Thank you Steve, thank you Arminda.
The concepts and distinctions that have made the biggest difference to me is the “owner victim choice” and taking action. Asking “what do I want to create today?” Being coached is helping me to understand my own Be Deliberate message, explore it, expand it and bring it to the world. Now is the time.
I’ve even started to live the “impossible” dream of coaching other people. In short, I became a “verb in action, instead of a noun hanging around!” Thanks Arminda for that one!
Why am I telling you this? Because it is time to switch up and level up this Be Deliberate website. I wanted to set the scene as to what is going on and what has changed so you can understand were we are going on this journey together as I start to post more than just other people’s quotes.
As I look back and reflect, I see that the quotes I loved and shared really did serve people including myself. I received many heartfelt emails from people who have been touched from the wisdom contained within them. I always considered it such an honour to be able to touch someone elses life by sharing something of value. I was simply the vehicle or messenger.
I can see that from time to time I would write articles using my own voice that were designed to help us take action. I just didn’t know how vital taking action is. I can even see some ideas relating to coaching in there, although again, I had no conscious awareness of the concepts and distinctions that can really help people get into action.
From now on, you can expect to see more personal thoughts and stories and writing directly from my heart as I share the things I have experienced which I believe can make a difference in your life and help you move forward with love.
Wherever you are, whatever your situation, I want to encourage you to keep looking forward, to keep thinking about the life you want to create and to keep taking small steps forward right now. It has made all the difference in my life to do this and it is my hope that it will for you. Why not try it out?
As always, go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you imagine.
Be Deliberate!
– Emma
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