A new horizon

Last week I unveiled my new website http://www.chandramarin.com/
In my process of writing my book, I also need to build a platform to collect followers, and this blog just was not cutting it.  So I am going to retire this blog and move on over to my beautiful website. I hope you will come on over and check it out.  You can also sign up for the Fresh Perspective, Free Joy newsletter and stay connected with periodic updates.

This blog has been a joy to me as it details my life up until now. Thanks for following.  See you soon at www.chandramarin.com

Chandra

A timid knock on the door of the universe

I admit it. I care about what others think about me.
It keeps me quiet even though I want to share. It is a voice in my head that controls me, makes me re-think everything I want to say or do until I am tied up in knots of fear that I abandon my project. Back I go to stifled creativity and expression.

When I read others who are sharing in a raw, vulnerable, real way I feel invited.
I want to share my voice, my story,
I desire real connection. But it is a big world and I don't know who is reading  and what you are all thinking.  It keeps me off the stage, closed in my house and quiet.

So how do I bust past those limits consistently to tell my story - for I am writing a book, a memoir, for heavens sake.  I must find more comfort in expression.

What if I didn't worry?

My beloved book

The vision was clear, in the bottom right corner of my mind appeared a book. I said to the group I was with, "there is a book for me to write". It was clear, it was true. I was back on track.

I knew about this book. Two months before, I was planning for it, conceptualizing it in my mind. There was a goal set, a year given, momentuum felt- but put on hold to come home after a year of travelling with my husband. I was to start up my counseling business (New Freedom Center) and get working so my husband could immigrate to the U.S. 

 

Two months after being home, I went to a conference with the intention to network. In the first breakout session, the presenter had us visualize ourselves on our death bed surrounded by our dreams, talents, gifts, goals etc.  She invited us to see which of those surrounding our bed were peacefully smiling upon us, feeling fullfillment of their purposes, and which others were upset knowing they would die with us unfullfilled.  In my visualization, there it was, the book.  I knew it was mine like a mother knows her own child.  

I had no idea how to go about writing a book but that didn't matter. I knew in that moment I would do it. I knew from experience that I could do things considered hard or out of my comfort zone. I had already left the comfort of letting things just happen and was actively creating my life. 

 

I told the group with sparkly tingles in my body about this book. I recommitted to the process. I already had an idea, a timeline, and a goal that was 10 months away.  The next day at the conference a speaker (a New York Times best selling author) shared her passion as a writing coach. She was putting on a writing conference in a few weeks to help rid people their blocks and coach them through the publishing process. My eyes widdened by the "bolt of lightning" that electrified me as she spoke.

 

I signed up on the spot because I cannot not obey lightning and visions.  Thanks Angie Fenimore, The Calliope Writing Coach.  (check me out on her testimonial video!)

Six months later, I feel en-JOY-ment in this beautiful process. I have found my voice and have benefited by the healing that personal writing offers. Thank you to my husband, who is on his own for now.  I have put everything on hold for this baby.  My beloved book.
 

Guess what...

I am writing a book! 
I am on self-imposed martial law, or in other words in isolation for at least the next couple of months.  I have a goal to have my narrative non-fiction book into the hands of someone by the time I turn 40- which is in 316 days, 12 minutes and 8 seconds! 

I am doing this! 
Stay tuned...

A year

So what is a year?  

Every year I get to reflect. What happened during this year?  I lived a whole 'nother 365 days.

This year I started in one country (Peru) and ended it in another (Sweden).  A sabatical year.  

It was a year of wonderful experience.  

I love the person I have grown into.

I love my husband.    

I love what is ahead. 

I love.  

This picture was taken in the same place in Sweden.  The first in 2013, before we were married, the second this Christmas.  Maybe we will have to go back each year and see what has changed for us.  

My goal this year is to write a book.  I am in the midst of it now.