The greatest achievement is selflessness.
The greatest worth is self-mastery.
The greatest quality is seeking to serve others.
The greatest precept is continual awareness.
The greatest medicine is the emptiness of everything.
The greatest action is not conforming with the world’s ways.
The greatest magic is transmuting the passions.
The greatest generosity is non-attachment.
The greatest goodness is a peaceful mind.
The greatest patience is humility.
The greatest effort is not concerned with results.
The greatest meditation is a mind that lets go.
The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances.
-Atisha

To carry this little number one line further …

The greatest description of this author is Unfiltered.

“How dare he say such a thing … Describing me with one wickedly delicious word.”

Unfiltered?

Me?

You Betcha!

At first I was slightly offended to hear that this description rolled off a colleague’s tongue.

Unfiltered made me think of someone who is :

Disorganized, off the cuff, without a care, raw, pithy, bold, a visionary …

Wait a minute, could it be that this is an accurate portrait?

Holy Cow!

To be unfiltered is exactly who I want to be.

What it means to be unfiltered:

Throwing your head back and laughing out loud
Shooting big ideas at a target to see what sticks
Pure unabashed honesty
Confidence without caution
Open to grand ideas
Approachable
Obvious Imperfections
Impatient flights of fancy
Having no interest in political correctness
To be REAL .. You’ve got to be real!

Which word comes to mind when you describe yourself?

Consider playing with descriptive words to see what fits.
(It may feel uncomfortable at first … It gets better)

How do other people perceive you?

What messages are you sending out to the universe?

How do you affect other people?

Ask a good friend , call on a peer or ask a client for a testimonial.

You might just find that someone thinks you are … Unfiltered.

“What you see is what you get … Honey!” – Flip Wilson

Shann Vander Leek is the Founder of True Balance Life Coaching and Co-founder of Seize True Success. She is a Coach Training Alliance certified professional coach, and certified yoga instructor. Shann is a prolific blogger, published writer and co-author of the Best Selling Book – Wake Up Women BE Happy Healthy & Wealthy. Shann’s personal style and direct approach have guided and inspired many in overcoming personal and professional challenges. Her background in sales, marketing and client development, along with leading a talented sales force for many years prepared her for the business of professional coaching. Shann inspires women in transition to create balance in their lives through personal coaching, yoga and creative expression. Telephone and email consultations make her accessible to clients all over the world. To find out about her Coaching Programs for Women, call Shann at 231.668.111 or visit www.truebalancelifecoaching.com

I have been reinventing myself for the past few years and love where my new life is headed.

Coaching, writing and yoga have become my way.

Learning to honor my natural rhythm, explore new interests and inspire others is hugely rewarding.

Yet …  Even though I’m immersed in a calling chock full of  inspiration, contribution and compassion, there are still days when I am overcome by fear.

The Super Shann days are incredible and then there are the days … I feel so very small.

Today is one of those days.

Check out the words I use to describe the manic ride.

Manic

One day
I rode a manic roller-coaster

Twisting and turning

Rising and falling

Crashing through

Frustration
Patience
Hunger
Happiness
Aggression
Love

I prayed for the ride to stop

Yet somehow got off on
The thrill of being out of control

Ripping on the way things are
Gaining in my disgust

One day
I rode a manic rollercoaster

Gaining momentum

Careening toward the ground

Hands in the air

Tangled thoughts

Screaming

Begging to crawl out of my skin

Then …

Inner calm

Understanding

Basking in peace

An endless appetite for life
Contemplating how much is enough

True joy
Appreciating natural riches

Kindness and selflessness

Always wanting more Love …

#

Today I will experience the funk and get back to creation by following these easy steps:

1. Let your emotions fly!  Have good cry or scream at the top of your lungs. (You might use a pillow to muffle your voice if you can’t  roar without scaring the hell out of someone)
2. Talk to a trusted friend about where you are at and how you are feeling.
3. Take a walk and let nature calm your state of being.
4. Remember what it feels  like to be on top of the world.
5. Create a list of what is going well in your life and business. Then inspect one area where you can improve.
6. Be kind and gentle with yourself. On days like these, there is no room for negative self talk.

Thankfully, it’s time to have a meal with a good friend and then I plan to take that walk.

Shann Vander Leek is the Founder of True Balance Life Coaching and Co-founder of Seize True Success. She is a Coach Training Alliance certified professional coach, and certified yoga instructor. Shann is a prolific blogger, published writer and co-author of the Best Selling Book – Wake Up Women BE Happy Healthy & Wealthy. Shann’s personal style and direct approach have guided and inspired many in overcoming personal and professional challenges. Her background in sales, marketing and client development, along with leading a talented sales force for many years prepared her for the business of professional coaching. Shann inspires women in transition to create balance in their lives through personal coaching, yoga and creative expression. Telephone and email consultations make her accessible to clients all over the world. To find out about her Coaching Programs for Women, call Shann at 231.668.111 or visit www.truebalancelifecoaching.com