A Dream, An Invisible Bridge, And Another Way To Show Up

Core Article: A Dream, An Invisible Bridge, And Another Way To Show Up

Paragraph I’m Pondering: “…and that’s why they forget their dreams.”

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire: “I choose thoughts that empower, uplift, and support my vision.”

Cool Stuff: How did elves actually become a part of Christmas???

AI Info & Resources: Amazon’s still trying to monetize Alexa…

A Dream, An Invisible Bridge, And Another Way To Show Up

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to reach for an older version of yourself when you feel unsure about where you are going now?

It’s almost as if that person you used to be might have the answers you can’t quite touch in this moment?

Lately, I have been reading through old journals, as I’m writing more, I’m looking for timelines of change and what I wrote back then. I found page after page of questions, plans, and trying to figure out who I was supposed to be whenever I decided to “grow up”.

What’s weird is rereading those old journals kind of feels like I’m time-traveling. Cuz every page holds a past version of me who was convinced that if she just tried harder or learned one more thing, she would finally land in a life and business that wouldn’t have to change or start over again. (Yeah, that definitely was an early version of me.:-)

Earlier this week, I woke up from one of those dreams that don’t fade. You know the kind that follows you into the kitchen while the coffee is brewing and then decides to sit on the chair next to you until you get the hint that maybe you ought to write the dream down.

What came pouring out of my pen (Yeah, I’m still old school. Studies show handwriting is more impactful for the brain, memory, and so much more) was one sentence that stopped me.

“You are searching for the person you are not anymore, searching for the you that is not you any longer.”

And, reading that line again the next morning, I could feel how often I have done that. Paging through old identities and trying them on again, hoping one would still fit. Even though my life looks nothing like it did when those versions were in charge.

There was a time when the corporate marketer in me knew how to play the game. The one who knew how to hit the goals, earn the praise, and for a long time she ran the show. Her way of doing life worked well enough, even though something inside stayed restless.

Another chapter belonged to the behind-the-scenes marketing and launch strategist who carried everyone else’s launches and businesses. The one who could see the whole chessboard and liked being the expert project manager who made everything happen for other people, while quietly wondering when or if it ever ought to be her turn.

Then there’s the version that measured her worth by how much she did for others. And looked at how useful and productive she could be, how many plates she kept spinning, because slowing down felt risky, almost like disappearing.

Each of those selves was real and did her best, and at the same time, none of them honestly feels like who I am now.

Back to my dream, the most interesting part was watching people get caught in a loop, with the same choices they made replaying over and over. It was like a movie they had seen a hundred times, even though they longed for a different ending.

Somehow, I knew the pattern and could see what would happen if nothing changed. It was as if I could see this invisible bridge to a different ending for them.

What I remember most clearly in the dream is saying to them what I so often find myself saying to my current clients.

You don’t have to live this way.
We can do this again together in a different way.
You are allowed to step out of the old pattern in your work or your life any time you want.

Still sitting with my coffee later that morning, it hit me that this really is the heart of my work with purpose-driven entrepreneurs like you.

So many people I work with are carrying around older identities that no longer match who they are becoming. Even though those identities helped them survive, they now feel off.

They don’t fit quite right, or are just too tight, like a jacket that never quite lets your shoulders relax.

There might be a version of you who said yes to misaligned clients because it seemed safer to take whatever came along than to say no, even when your body felt the cost.

Another version probably bought someone else’s formula, hoping it would finally unlock the momentum you wanted, even when every instinct in you knew that approach didn’t feel right.

Then the one I see most is the one who quietly believes the only way to grow their business is to abandon themselves a little. The need to push past their limits, to override the signals that something is off. And that’s cuz it’s what they were taught successful people do.

When I talk about Soulful Marketing, I am really talking about crossing that invisible bridge from those old versions of you into a chapter where your work and your life feel aligned, more real. It’s where you share parts of yourself that help others connect, trust, and know you can guide them.

You are not starting over from scratch when you do that.

You are bringing everything you’ve learned with you and choosing to be more aligned, so the most exhausted, over-responsible, or people-pleasing version of you doesn’t sit in the driver’s seat anymore.

Here is an experiment you can try this week if it resonates with you.

Set a timer for one minute
Write down the name of one “old you” you are ready to retire. You can give him/her a simple nickname, like:
“Hustle Me,” “Always Available Me,” “People Pleaser Me,” “Buy others’ formulas that Don’t Ever Work Me,” “Everyone Else Me,” or whatever resonates.
Once you have named him/her, thank them for getting you this far.
Then write this down: “I do not need you to run the show anymore for me; you can rest now.”

That small act starts to loosen the loop because you are acknowledging that you have changed and that your work and life can change with you.

When you feel ready, when it comes to your work and the way you invite people into your world, it will begin to reflect the you who exists today, not the ghost of who you used to be.

If you want to share, I would love to hear who you are ready to ‘retire’ and who you are becoming now, so hit reply and share it with me.

You are not the only one crossing that invisible bridge.

I am always walking it with you.
Hands at your back always.
🙂
Shannon

Paragraph I’m Pondering

Ester asked why people are sad. “That’s simple,” says the old man. ‘”They are the prisoners of their personal history. Everyone believes that the main aim in life is to follow a plan. They never ask if that plan is theirs or if it was created by another person. They accumulate experiences, memories, things, and other people’s ideas, and it is more than they can possibly cope with. And that is why they forget their dreams.” ~ Paulo Coelho, The Zahir

Powerful Affirmations to Inspire

“I trust the process of expansion—I am building a legacy.”
“I am open to receiving luxury, ease, and financial blessings.”
“I choose thoughts that empower, uplift, and support my vision.”

Cool Stuff

How and why did elves ever become a part of Christmas in the first place? Yep, this has me curious… You?
Have you ever read or heard about Henry J. Kaiser? He had the groundbreaking idea of providing pre-paid medical care, ensuring that his workforce could meet the rigorous demands of WWII wartime production. Check out the birth of prepaid medical care.
What exactly is “Hot ice cream?” This was a hot topic this week on one of my marketing calls. The latest news is that Tyra Banks opened a Hot ice cream store. And the description of what it’s not is curious as to what it actually is… hmmm…

AI Info and Resources

How are people really using AI? I think this is interesting and definitely want to know. Cuz in my experience, it’s creating more work for me in the long run. Hmm…
Amazon’s dream of turning “Alexa” into a shopping machine in people’s homes hasn’t quite died yet. Here’s the latest about how they’re trying to monetize it.
This is interesting if you use Adobe products and ChatGPT: Adobe is integrating its tools into ChatGPT.

Weekly Photos

Weirdest December weather ever. I think I’ve only seen the sun twice in two weeks. Definitely not the usual holiday weather. The fog is so thick every morning that you can cut it with a knife. I have to wear a raincoat, or I’d be soaked cuz the. The humidity is 98%. My favorite are the dead trees in the fog, just leaning to one side.
This husky, I have no idea what his name is. He jumps on his hind legs every time I walk by his deck to check me out.
Could finally see the sun rise, and it looked so pretty against Shasta Bali. I had to snap this shot down the street.
Finally remembered to take a picture of myself, it’s been a while. Good to see you!
This was a bit crazy. I walk the Sacramento Trail at least 2 – 3 times a week. And it’s a VERY busy trail. One morning, I was walking and talking to my sister, and something said to look down, and there it was – President Truman, staring up at me. Yep, he had to come after I took this shot. I know it might sound kind of weird, as I’ve shared before, I find a lot of dimes. And I always think it’s my grandmother who died too soon and left me her collection of dimes. She’s just saying to me, “Shannon, darling heart, I see you, you’re not ever alone, my sweet. I love you.”
And oh Emma… this picture cracks me up from a few years ago when she was at the vet’s office, and they took this pic and sent it to me. You will be with me always…
You wait long enough in the fog, and then this happens. I’m just grateful I was hanging out on the phone, still talking to my sister and catching up, when I caught this pic.

NEW: P.S. New Invitation – I’m going to launch my next Soulful Marketing Accelerator Co-hort in late January. 🙂 If you’re longing for like-minded community and ready to move through your fears to grow a purpose–driven business rooted in authenticity and aligned with your dream clients… Welllll. Go here to be first in line when I reopen the doors again. Would love to have you.

P.S.S. Whenever You’re Ready: Here are 3 Ways I can make an impact on creating greater success in your business using marketing that’s aligned with your mission and values without feeling like you’re selling your soul.

1. Make Money Now Sheet – It’s one of the bonuses in my 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. I wanted to give it to you for free to help you create more success.

2. Love Books Like I Do? – I’m always reviewing the best nonfiction books – Where Buddha Meets Business.

3. Get my proven 7-Step Soulful Marketing System. It gives you the framework you need to implement authentic and connected marketing using online customer experiences and launching your products, services, or courses. It will help you create greater success.

It’s a simple system, especially if you love to read like me. There’s no video or audio. Plus, you get my proven templates, tools, and worksheets, all with tremendous value. And I’m pricing it incredibly low so it can be more accessible to more people. 🙂

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I appreciate your sharing. Thank you!

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