December 20th, 1999: Stars

In this 11th episode we are back in the 90’s for this entry!  I just can’t leave them alone!

This episode tells a story I have told before and will probably still tell to my great, great grandchildren.  It was an absolute turning point in my life and a moment that has since defined who I am and how I show up.

In 1999 I was a sophomore in college at the University of Wisconsin Parkside (P-side!). That year brought so much positive change and gave me new and clear outlook on a lot of things.  But positive change rarely comes without facing our fears and taking real risks.  In this episode I share how one night I did both and it’s helped shape how I am in the best of ways.

Queens aren’t led by fear; they are led by a higher calling and a bold trust in self.

 

 Key themes from reflection on this entry:

· Betting on yourself, my poem called “Winning Bet” is all about that and truly believing in yourself enough to let others see it. 

· Sometimes it can be harder to do new things or take steps toward your dreams in front of people who know you than strangers.  But to be real about your dreams and who you are, you can’t let anyone stop you for your fear of what you think they might think. People think about you way less than you think they do and if they think of you more they are fans and are rooting for you anyway! 

· Your big dreams may seem a bit crazy to some, but the fact is if we think about it, we are living in many of those big once thought impossible dreams now so anything is possible.  When our dreams are so big that they scare us, that’s when we know it’s a God dream, when we know it would be impossible on our own, but we also know we have the favor and the faith to make it happen. Those are the dreams we must pursue, and I often find that in order to get to the big dreams there are steps that come in the form of smaller dreams and opportunities.  Doing the work and getting in position now is often what it takes.

· Finding the root of our fears. Often the thing that scares us the most is the thing that is closest to our purpose.  We confuse our understanding of the vast impact of it with fear.  The key is to let that energy move us forward into the thing vs. scare us away. Easier said than done but that is the truth.

· Stop 2nd guessing yourself!!  “It is our light, not darkness that scares us. . . who are we not to be.”  – Maryann Williamson

- What is your purpose?

- What scares you the most about stepping into who you are meant to be?                                      

Author, poet, spoken word artist and emcee Opal Ellyse has been keeping handwritten journals since 1995.  Each week she shares an entry and ties it to current events and relevant topics of conversation.  Royalty is living in your legacy while you're still here.  Understanding your past and bridging it to the present (and future) is a gift.  Join Opal as she shares wisdom from the past as it becomes present day epiphany and a blueprint for all that is next. 

Enjoy!

www.opalellyse.com

Music: DJ Pain 1