“Fearlessness means taking the first step even if you don’t know where it will take you. It means being driven by a higher purpose rather than by applause. It means knowing that you reveal your character when you stand apart more than when you stand with a crowd. Be fearless. Be the last people to accept things as they are and the first people to stand up and change them for the better.”
– Tim Cook, Duke University
I officially left my corporate job in the beginning of September. When I think about the journey of transition, the journey of a leap of faith, the journey of a life purpose, I think of the act of fearlessness that must occur inside someone. In knowing that whether win or lose, what you are going into the unknown for is a calling, something greater than where you currently stand.
My entire life, I have always known I was meant to help people. I believe in the potential of all people, even if they can’t see it within themselves. My career as a Gallery Leader for RH, a leading luxury interior design retailer, fulfilled this part of me for almost 7 years. I led teams of people, large and small, with the sole responsibility of development. In those 7 years, I watched many people grow, blossom, achieve goals through my coaching and mentorship. More importantly, they were able to see the potential in themselves to achieve greatness. While all of this was amazing, and I continue to have strong relationships with nearly everyone I worked with, it was only able to go so far. I longed for something deeper. Deeper connection, community, and relationship.
I found Reiki, or rather, Reiki found me about 3 years ago. I had never taken a session, I didn’t know anyone personally who practiced, but I had a strong knowing this was the path for me to find that “something deeper”. I researched and researched looking for the right instructor for nearly 2 years, because although I am spiritual, I am also very grounded and realistic. Learning from someone who was highly accredited was of great importance to me. I finally found Colleen Benelli based out of Portland Oregon. When I found her, I knew that was it. Fast forward through over a year of training and here we are. I am a Certified Usui/Holy Fire III Reiki Master and Advanced Crystal Healer. My mother, Lisa, and I started Live Life Reiki Studio in the beginning of 2019, and by September, Reiki was pulling and calling me so strongly to commit full time to this work. This definitely required a level of fearlessness and the quote that began this article really spoke to me about leaving something I had great success in already, to do the thing that could change my world and the world of the lives that I connect with for the better. Yet, I would have to start over, and that was so worth the happiness and the purpose that I felt would be fulfilled.
I have always been fond of quotes and symbols to illustrate thought so you’ll find a lot of these in my articles :) This next quote I’d like to share, also struck true to me when making the decision to pursue my business full time, “sooner or later we long to follow a ‘calling’ to do the work of our hearts. American theologian Frederick Beuchner put it beautifully saying ‘the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.’ Mystic poet Rumi said ‘everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in his or her heart.’”
Change is not easy, especially when we as humans are creatures of habit. I hope this article speaks to you, and if you are currently doing the work that sets your heart and soul on fire - congrats! And if you’re wondering whether it’s time to take that journey of transition, journey of a leap of faith, the journey of a life purpose, do it! You’ll never regret a chance you took, but you’ll always regret the chances you didn’t take.
I would love to hear from any of you on this subject! I love meeting and conversing with those who have relentless courage and faith in themselves and/or something bigger. Let’s create community, support one another, and in turn elevate humanity!
XX Ashley