August 19 2014
This past weekend, Dr.’s Lou and Laurie and I went to a program in Dahlonega called “Inner Winners.”
We have had this planned since the very beginning of this year, and I had been chomping at the bit ever since.
When Dr. Jay Handt first invited me to the program I was instantly hooked, no questions asked, I was going to be there on August 14.
I have known about Inner Winners since I was a little girl, because my parents had both been before. I knew about some of the challenges that we would face, and I knew it was a life changing experience.
Last year I was stuck in a terrible situation, and ever since I have been holding onto the pain that I went through. Over the months I had suppressed it more and more to the point that I couldn’t feel anything. On the one hand, that was great because I never cried, never let my emotions get to me. But on the other hand… I could not move on. I had so much fear and I no longer trusted people, all because of this burden that I had hidden deep inside of me.
I know with absolute certainty that God’s plan was unfolding for me when I got to Dahlonega this past Thursday. I was ready for my life to change. I was ready to finally let go of the past and be open to new experiences. But I had no idea what was in store for me…
It’s hard to put into words about my experience this past weekend. All I can say is that my life has completely changed. The way I think, the way I act, the way I perceive information, the way I look at the people around me, but more importantly, the way I look at myself.
I am the strongest woman that I know.
I have experienced the lowest point in my life and I rose above it with flying colors. I did things this weekend that most people consider impossible. And believe me, there was a time in my life when I thought it was impossible as well.
I also had thought that there was no way I could do them. I didn’t have the confidence in myself to let go and trust my innate and the loving people around me that I was going to be safe.
The people that I met this weekend will forever be considered family to me. Words cannot express the love I have for everyone who helped me grow and find my true self.
You’ve all seen those videos floating around the internet of a snake charmer from the Middle East who could hold the most venomous snake, or lay down with them completely surrounding the person, and not get bit? I’m sure you’ve tried to understand how that’s even possible. I’m sure you’ve also questioned their sanity and why in the world they would even want to do something like that to begin with.
Well, I was one of those people this past weekend. I was the one standing with the snakes. (Not literally… I would never do that.) But the things that I did however, were along the same lines. Walking across fire was one of those things. And no, I did not get burned. Just a blister here and there.
Quoted by the spiritual leader and guru from Jamaica, Mooji, “the fire of self-discovery will not burn you, it will only burn what you are not.”
When my feet landed on the grass on the other side of that fire, I felt it in my heart that I was no longer the weak, beaten, scared woman that I used to be.
I was the strongest woman that I knew. At that very moment, I knew I could do anything.
Many of the challenges we faced last weekend truly scared me. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do it. But the love and support I found in everyone at Inner Winners gave me the power I needed to overcome my fears, and overcome the demons that I have hidden deep down.
I’ve never felt so empowered... so liberated... so free.
Chuck and Ruth Ribley and Jay and Kathi Handt saved my life.
I believe that everyone should go to this program at least once in their life. Even if you don’t think you have struggles in your life, or if you have been beaten down so far that you think there is no hope for you… you’re wrong. You will find that your life will be changed for the better.
There is no going back for me.
I’m the “crab in the pot that escaped.” I am now different from the average person. I am strong. I am courageous. I am confident. I am powerful. I am fearless. I can do anything.