Transform Your Life!

By Natalie Rivera

Standing in my front yard, I stare for a long time trying to discern the color of my grass. I consider the cliché about “the other side.” Time passes as I take in more of the view. Then I notice a crack across my vision. From my glasses, I pull away pieces of broken lenses – green in color – revealing the brown, weary, thirsty grass that has invaded my lawn. I wonder who had put it there. What horrible gardener had duped me into paying for such a mess? I look down at my calloused hands, covered in soil, holding remnants of green lenses.

How could this be happening? How is this my lawn? How are these my hands? I turn to the driveway, and I look at my reflection in the side of my car; I don’t recognize the woman staring at me. For a moment, I consider rushing to find superglue and frantically repairing my lenses. But then I come to the realization that I’m trying to deny what I truly desire by reciting an old cliché—

“The grass is always greener on the other side.”

In truth, I wasn’t using it to help me remain grateful for what I have; I was falling back on it in fear of losing what I know.

With this profound realization, I look at my reflection once more and the woman has shifted. I am no longer looking down, slumped with the weight of the world on my shoulders. A new woman is looking at me eagerly, with the fire of transformation in her eyes.

I was unsure of what the “other side” would hold for me, but I was certain that I had to leave my side – before I allowed the temptation of the status quo and self-denial to color my world once again.

And so began a rapid unraveling of my life. With the end of the string in my hand, I was running like fire. After dismantling literally every part of the life I had created, my cloak had been unwoven and I stood revealed and refreshed (and, well, naked), in awe of my own freedom and in integrity with my true Self.

Transformation happens.

Sometimes we seek it, and other times it is thrust upon us. Sometimes it sneaks up on you after years of quiet suffering and denial, as it did for me. Other times it is the inevitable side effect of a life struck by a sudden tsunami of unwanted change, grief, and/or pain. In either case, once transformation begins it usually unfolds rapidly. But, in this process, there are those who cling desperately to “what was,” like a terrified butterfly unwilling to let go of the empty casing that once housed the caterpillar. Life is exhausting, painful, and dark when trapped in the cell created by our resistance to change.

To resist change is to resist the universal force that drives all of life.

We are experiencing a time of unprecedented transformation. More and more individuals are experiencing life-changing shifts, but it’s more than that—it’s happening on a global scale. It’s as if all of humanity is awakening. Some believe the rapid change we’re observing is due to economic conditions or technological advancement, while others believe the cause is a greater energetic shift taking place on Earth. In any case,

If you are experiencing or seeking transformation, you are not alone.

Life can be full of challenges and obstacles that can feel overwhelming and impossible to surmount. Even once we embrace transformation, the process isn’t always pretty. Imagine what it’s like for a caterpillar to release everything in order to become the butterfly. However, there is always something to be grateful for, and every day is an opportunity for a spark of inspiration to trigger the call for transformation deep in our heart and soul. In fact, many scientific studies have proven that a simple change in perspective can impact every aspect of our lives, from our relationships and careers to our overall happiness.

We cannot always control what happens in our lives, but we can control how we respond to every situation and development.

We can see our challenges as curses or we can allow them to inspire blessings in our lives.

I allowed the great changes in my life to tear town my walls of limitation and open me up to all that I’ve ever dreamed of becoming—even those dreams I had forgotten. After experiencing the transformative power of letting go, living authentically, and aligning with my greater purpose, I decided to dedicate my life to sharing the inspiration with others. Along my path, I have met dozens of amazingly talented, brave souls who have also experienced life-altering transformations and who also feel strongly guided to share their experiences with others.

Bearing the depths of one’s soul and telling the true story of personal transformation creates a ripple effect of inspiration.

And, that’s exactly why I’ve decided to create a platform for these inspirational teachers to share their insight and experience. First through Transformation Magazine, and now through the Transform Your Life! Book Series, which will be launching on August 23, 2014.

All 60 of the authors in the first book have battled through the trenches of despair and difficulty and emerged victorious, and through this book they are sharing their adventures with us. Their stories offer unique perspectives on love and hope, strength and perseverance, and living and thriving. Each chapter tells the true-life tale of overcoming real-world challenges, from addiction, to abuse, to illness and loss. Your heart will open as authors share their personal stories of rebirth and reveal how they allowed their pain to inspire their purpose.

Allow the authors of Transform Your Life! to pay it forward by sharing their hearts, souls, stories, and wisdom with you. You may even discover the key that unlocks the power of your own story contained within the pages of this transformational book.

(Transform Your Life! is available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Transformation-Publishing.com as well as all digital, ebook platforms.)

 

Natalie Amsden Rivera is a visionary speaker and entrepreneur. She is passionate about empowering others to GET REAL and live authentically. After a decade of living a life that wasn’t hers and developing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Natalie let go of everything and completely transformed. Through her journey to healing she rediscovered her true self and greater purpose—to inspire others to transform their lives. Natalie “retired” from the rat race at 24, put herself through school as a freelance designer, created a non-profit teen center, and later created Transformation Services, Inc., which offers motivational speaking, curriculum development, life coaching, event management, and publishing. She is also the Publisher of Transformation Magazine. Visit www.joeelandnatalie.com.

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