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Life is a very funny thing. Just when you think it's impossible to go any further, something happens to wake you up and shout  "SNAP OUT OF IT!" It is precisely at these moments that you realize the power of the Great Source and your place in the grand scheme of things. You may also realize at that moment that it's all about stepping up to the plate and taking a swing. After all, if you don't swing, you'll never know whether or not you could've hit the ol' proverbial 'Home Run". Life is like that.

 

About a year ago, I set out to begin a book that was stirring inside me. It was a long time coming, as I'd been saying for YEARS that I was going to write a book, but had never done anything about it. Lots of people I knew, some family members, some friends, some business associates, kept nagging me about it. Having seen some of my writings, they couldn't understand what I was waiting for. "Just write the book, Camille. You've got so much to offer. Why are you wasting this gift?" Nag. Nag. Nag. I ignored them for a long time until, one day, my life as I knew it, took a drastic turn.

 

From out of nowhere, some sort of phsical malady hit. I was always quite the little athlete and very health conscious, so when this (what shall I call it?)....physical dis-ease...began to take over, I was completely shocked. How could this happen to ME? I did the usual course of investigation, from Alternative Practitioners to Traditional Doctors, all to no avail. Nothing was working and I was getting worse. By this time, I was unable to work, drive or even walk without great pain. What the...??? But what I DID have was a lot of time. And that little book was screaming to be written.

 

I started the book, got a whole lot written, and then put it on a 'back burner'.  I had all kinds of fears and excuses and limiting beliefs that wouldn't let me continue. How was I going to get it published? Where was I going to find an agent? Who in the world was going to want a book by someone they'd never heard of? Really dumb stuff, but there it was. A big, giant wall of "how's" and "I can't" nonsense that kept me from finishing. And then....

 

I was reading a book called "Ask and It Is Given" by Jerry and Esther Hicks. In this book, there is much discussion about "going with your flow" and "letting go of the oars". Powerful messages that encourage us to ALLOW that stream of Well-Being and stop resisting what Source Energy is giving us at every moment. I began to really tune in to these messages, listening to audio tapes and really participating in some 'games' they offer us to play. Games. Not 'exercises'. Not 'practices'. GAMES. Why games? Because games are FUN. And, according to them, LIFE is all about feeling good; not about struggling or trying or even praying for what you want. Simply feeling good and having fun. Sheesh! Who knew?

 

So, I decided that the only thing stopping me was ME. And it really pissed me off that I was doing that to myself. I'd never been one to shy away from anything that scared me, so what was all this about? How did I suddenly become so fearful of Life's "unknowns'? What happened to that adventurous little imp who'd always embraced Life? As the days passed and I focused more on what I wanted, rather than on what I 'couldn't do', things began to shift.

 

I sent out emails and made phone calls and started asking for help. I posted messages in various forums where I knew there were people who would offer insights. I sat each day in the comfort of my bed, with candles lit and incense burning, thinking about all the many possiblities and how much fun it would be to....whatever. And you know what happened? All KINDS of people started showing up. Successful authors, published poets, marketing pros, etc. They began to offer all kinds of 'solutions' to my challenges, encouraging me to keep going.

 

At last, I saw it. It was my turn to step up to the plate and start swinging (I use this analogy because I was once an All-Star softball player who won many accolades for my achievements on the field...I know baseball!) I had always been first in the batting line-up because, more often than not, I got on base. I wasn't a power hitter, but I could smack the bejeebers out of that ball and get on base. I was fearless. I was quick. I was an ALL STAR! So, I returned to that place of knowing. I trusted that all I had to do was SWING. And before I even knew what was happening, it all fell into place.

 

The book is now available (in digital format, as an eBook) for purchase. I've been offered to be spotlighted as a "Featured Artist" on a very popular website.(More on that later!) I've already begun to receive orders on the book, even though I've only had it online for 3 days! And people are emailing and calling to offer 'rave reviews' and other means of getting the word 'out there'. All because I decided to stop making excuses and take a swing!

 

So, whatever it is you're dreaming about doing, whatever it is you've been ignoring because of your own limiting beliefs or pesky little fears....just step up to the plate. Go ahead and take a few swings. I promise you this: nothing is nearly as scary as we make it out to be, once you get started. The fears we hold are usually just 'monsters under the bed' that aren't real at all. We make them up in our heads. And if you take a look under the bed, you'll find the Boogie Man isn't there at all. It's just YOU resisting your best Life, resisting change, resisting all the magical moments that are yours for the taking. So, go ahead...take a swing!

 

Camille Olivia Strate is an author, empowerment coach and critter keeper in search of the perfect pasture. Among her many passions is assisting people in returning to their 'true selves' by way of empowerment coaching. She believes strongly in 'paying it forward' and lives by 'do what you love and the money will follow'. Her latest book, "Whispers" is now available in eBook format. Hardcopy to follow soon! Visit her personal site at http://www.joyzachoice.com