BOOK OF JUDE – CHAPTER XLI

Chapter XLI –  Six Month Review

I am Jude. It’s hard to believe I published ‘The Beginning’, my first blog post, six short months ago on October 19th. 

It certainly doesn’t feel that long ago. And now here I am on Chapter Twenty-Six of the Book of Jude.

Like most ideas, the blog started as a fleeting thought. A ‘whim’ if you will.

I have never done anything like this before so there were large measures of fear and self-doubt and frequent bouts of imposter syndrome. This was way outside of my comfort zone and it triggered all kinds of internal resistance.

However, despite my misgivings, it slowly gained form and function until it ultimately crystallized into an unexpected desire to write. 

I shared my intentions with a couple of trusted confidants, who expressed their overwhelming support and encouraged me to believe in myself. With that, I took the bold step into the unknown. 

And I am so thankful I did. 

Up until that time, I never seriously considered writing in any capacity. I certainly didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a writer or believing I possessed any special talent with words. 

I always loved reading and expressing myself but I never identified as a ‘writer’. Not until now!

I suddenly find myself making it a daily practice, and I am a firm believer that your actions define you. 

The process is both challenging and extremely rewarding and that constant struggle has become addictive.

It’s been a significant commitment that has required sacrifice and constant attention but it’s been well worth it. Writing has become an agonizingly obsessive passion. 

It may sound dramatic but the blog has become a personal affirmation that I can accomplish ANYTHING I set my mind to. 

It has been a timely reminder that there are no limits except for the ones we impose on ourselves. Regardless of age, experience or circumstance. 

We all have the unique ability to change our realities through courage, compound effort and intention. We can create more happiness, peace and fulfillment in our lives through small incremental changes and being focused on the now. 

And I’m down with that!

Side Hustle – Unshackled Solutions Life Coaching and Consulting 

I am now a Flow Institute Certified Life Coach after successfully completing the intensive 60 ICF (International Coach Federation) ACSTH hours of “ FLOW Coaching Institute: Unleash Your Creative Potential Towards Positive Shift ” program. That’s quite a mouthful. 

But what does it even mean?

It means I have met all of the expectations of an ICF approved program. 

I have an understanding of the specific Flow Coaching Institute architecture, I am aware of the ICF Code of Ethics and have completed the required instruction and practice hours.

In practical terms, the program formally introduced me to professional life coaching and helped me establish my own unique philosophy. 

However, my personal practice is still very much a work in progress. It continues to grow and evolve through my own self-directed learning and by connecting and collaborating with other aspiring life coaches. 

In other good news, I have my first paying client!

This is another significant personal achievement for me and is evidence of the viability of my efforts and intentions to serve others. It’s proof, I can do this. 

If you are interested in finding out more about life coaching or exploring what working with me would look like, please contact me directly to schedule a discovery call. No expectations or obligations. 

Your Next Best Read – The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – Part II

I maintain that this book is your next best read if you are seeking inner peace and understanding. 

The Power of Now proposes that the only way to reach true peace and fulfillment is through being completely present in each moment you experience. 

Our thinking mind or ego derails us by ruminating on the past, speculating about the future, clinging to our painful experiences, and insisting that we will be happy and fulfilled if we can just achieve our goals.

However, the author reveals that inner peace and happiness can’t be found in anything external, but rather must be found within by being present.

I am still trying to digest his spiritual philosophy but I am confident I will be forever considering and reconsidering the lessons, themes, concepts explored in this masterful work.

Positive Reflections – What’s Good?

Chapter XXVI provides a perfect opportunity to reflect back to October and consider what I learned about myself and my personal development journey.

1. I am creating more peace and fulfillment in my life through my daily rituals and deliberate efforts to Be Better. 

Productive early mornings, self-reflection, compound effort, and mediation are all paying dividends. 

I still have a LOT of internal work to do but I am making slow steady progress towards the person I ultimately want to become. I am in a much better place than I was six months ago and I can’t wait to see where I will be in a year. 

2. All of my problems and their corresponding solutions lie solely within ME. Everything I experience starts and ends with ME. I am completely responsible for ME, my perspective and the quality of life it affords ME. 

3. Being able to find internal stillness through Quietude is critical for my peace and continued personal development. I am finding real value in clearing my mind through meditation and focused breathing.

4. I am convinced that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. I’m not behind schedule and I didn’t miss out. 

All of my previous experiences have contributed to my current circumstances. They. have prepared me for this moment. 

Complaining about missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential serves no purpose. All that matters is now. 

5. Gratitude is critical to living a good life. Being thankful displaces greed, desire, unhappiness and other negative egoistic emotions. They can’t exist at the same time. It’s an elixir for feelings of lack and despair.

Gratitude requires us to focus on what we have instead of what we are missing and that results in a positive shift in our thinking.

I continue to be blessed with the insights, growing awareness and joy associated with the ongoing evolution of Jude. I am slowly realizing that I am enough, and more. 

We all have been endowed with unique gifts that can be actualized through faith, focus and consistent effort. There is inherent greatness in all of us, if we could only see through the destructive, self-imposed filters of our egos. 

I’m not finished yet. In fact, I’m just beginning. 

I want the next phase of my life to be the best phase in my life. I want it characterized by ever-increasing insight, self-awareness and a better relationship with MYSELF.

Public Announcement

Team Clyke reached another milestone on the weekend. Our princess, Kenya Dawn Myra Bundy turned one(1). I’m hoping that she isn’t the last addition to our little family but if she is, we went out with a bang. 

Mooma is different. She has her own unique personality. Along with being smart, curious and absolutely adorable, she is strong-willed and independent.  She wants to do things her way – or no way. 

I love her spirit!

I was raised as an only child, as was my daughter, so the intimate dynamics between siblings are somewhat foreign to me. 

However, it is evident that Kenya and Ky have already established a deep, meaningful relationship with one another and I am thankful for that. 

When I think of the changes that she has undergone in the past twelve(12) months, it’s truly a miracle. 

She is a pleasant reminder that life is a beautiful blessing. 

I recently learned that the odds of being born are 1 in 450 Trillion. Read that again. Those numbers are so big that the human mind can barely conceptualize them

However, what it tells me is that WE are not an accident. Our existence isn’t random. It can’t be. We are special and uniquely endowed by the universe. We are part of a greater design. 

There is an old adage that says:

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

Nelson Henderson

I believe it is my personal responsibility to positively influence the Cubs by living my life in a manner that positively influences their development and encourages them to be their best selves. I want more for them, regardless if I see the results.

Happy Birthday Kenya!

I have not given up on the possibility of your mother adding one more baby brother or sister to the clan. In fact, I am manifesting another Cub. 

However, I’m fine if you are my final grandchild. I got a funny feeling that you are going to change the world. 

So hang onto that fire you have inside of you young Queen!!! I think you just may need it. I am Jude.