4/27/22
I’m in a Mastermind group with a bunch of other entrepreneurs led by our amazing business coach, Dave Moreno. By the way, if you’re an entrepreneur and you’re looking to grow your business to six-figures and beyond, you need to get into Dave’s Six Figure Academy. Just go to Davemoreno.ca to check it out. I’ll put a link in the show notes to his website. Okay, in our Academy slack group, we’re encouraged to post and celebrate our “wins,” whatever that may be. I’ve been posting about all the amazing things that are happening in my Life Coaching clients’ lives right now, without divulging any private information, of course, and in my business as a whole. One colleague said, “Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Tricia, you are on fire!”
To rise like a phoenix from the ashes means to emerge from a catastrophe stronger, smarter and more powerful. The phoenix bird is a mythical bird from Greek mythology that rose out of the fiery ashes in a transformation from death to life.
There’s a huge part of me that screams, “Heck yeah, I am a phoenix rising from the ashes. I’ve been through the fire! And just when I thought I was going down in flames, it seems that I rose from the ashes.”
If you knew the details of all the amazing things that have happened in my life, you might understand why I attribute all of it to the One who knows and loves me best, Jesus. Listen, the reason I can say this with so much certainty is because of all the things He’s done to get me where I am today. And I don’t mean just the way He’s helped me to emotionally thrive, but all the ways He’s intervened in my life since Brian died. I know in past episodes I’ve told you about the crazy way He got money to me when I needed it; when He orchestrated things and people just right to sell my house and buy a new one, even when I was told I wouldn’t qualify for a mortgage because my income was too low with the non-profit job; when He provided a car for me that was practically free when I sold my luxury vehicle to save some money; how He continues to grow my Life Coaching business to bring freedom to His daughters; how He continues to pour blessings upon blessings and favor upon favor on me in the most random of places and events.
So, the phoenix rising from the ashes was not just part of Greek mythology. Christianity adopted the portrayal of the phoenix rising from the ashes as a symbol of rebirth and eternal life. The imagery and symbolism of the pheonix’s resurrection resonated with the Christian story - life reborn and transformed. I learned that you’ll frequently find the image of the pheonix near Christian burial places, as it is a favorite symbol of the early Church. It’s also found throughout the history of Christian art, especially during the medieval period. The phoenix remains a symbol of hope for new life and new transformation.
But, when someone today says you’re like a phoenix rising from the ashes, they obviously don’t mean that you’ve literally died and have been resurrected. It is recognition of a spiritual and emotional rebirth that leaves you stronger, smarter and more powerful in so many ways.
I felt the first of rebirth - that newness - a few years after Brian died. When I accepted the fact that this, indeed, was my life and I had better move forward and make the best of it, because He wasn’t coming back, I couldn’t change my circumstances, I was either going to be frozen in time, or I was going to moving along with it. I chose to move along. And newness started happening. Determination to create Another Beautiful Life happened. Openness, willingness to step into something new, all moved me forward.
Then this year, 2022, I was very sick, though I didn’t know it at the time. I still am not aware of the fullness of the threat that the illness was to my life. They definitely don’t tell you that in the ER. But if you were to ask my dear friend that brought me there that day, she would tell you, and probably with a pale face and a bit of PTSD, it was “serious.” “Very, very serious.” All I know is that I got chocolate ice cream for lunch because that’s what I asked for.
But let me tell you some things that just don’t make sense.
It doesn’t make sense that I would be sick enough to be in the ER twice and in the hospital for 3 days and come out stronger than I’ve ever been. My body is leaner and stronger. My muscles are responding to weightlifting like never before. My endurance is better, my rebound is faster. And my vocals are better and stronger than ever. EVER. I’m a worship leader for a weekly women’s bible study in my local community, as some of you know. And just the year prior, I had to take a bit of time off from singing because I was having vocal cord issues. I’m not young anymore, and at that time I was thinking, “Ya know, I probably ought to step down and let the young ones do this.” But now, I feel like everything is new and fresh, and easy. I feel like something is brand new. I can’t describe it. But something is definitely different. I just feels different.
It doesn’t make sense that I would have no romantic relationship but feel so totally in love. In love with life, and my work, and people, and my ministry, and my pups, my friends. So filled up with love. My life is full. My heart is full.
It doesn’t make sense that I would have a three week set back in life, then come out roaring. New perspectives, new focus, new urgency, new passion. Love, love, love. Out of the gate, while still recuperating in my bed, I was coaching and it was probably some of the most powerful coaching I’ve ever done. And I’ve been on fire ever since. I have such clarity and feel divinely inspired each time I have a session with a client. It’s like supernatural things are happening right in front of me. I feel so privileged to get to watch it all.
To rise like a phoenix from the ashes means to emerge from a catastrophe stronger, smarter and more powerful. Is this something that happens to everyone? I’m not sure. I really don’t think so. But it can. I don’t think I’m unique in any way. So, how would someone who has experienced a catastrophe emerge from that - to come out on the other side of that - stronger?
Well, I believe I’ve been telling you that throughout the entirety of this podcast. Be willing to surrender yourself, your needs, your weaknesses into the hands of a loving God who wants so very much to lead and guide your life in a way that makes your life glorify Him.
Here’s a Biblical principle that I have found time and again to be for my benefit when I have chosen to live my life in this way. It’s Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you, as well.”
If I would just set my sights on God and do what pleased Him, if I would make sure I was giving Him my time and attention first before all things, if I put seeking Him first, then all other things - all the things I’m concerned about, going after, the things I need - all other things would all fall into place. When I seek God first - and I just mean, seeking Him in an intimate relationship through worship, prayer, reading the Word, and just walking with Him in my daily life - then all things that concern me will be taken care of. He will take care of it. And I can just settle in that faith-rest life. If you want to hear more about the faith-rest life, jump on over to episode number six.
In January, I had an epiphany about my life and my Life Coaching business. It was centered around this very verse - Matthew 6:33. I talked about that in episode number 67. And now, just a few months later, I am seeing the fruit of it all play out in my life. And I’m in such awe. Why am I so surprised? I shouldn’t be surprised that God does exactly what He’s says He will do, right? But I am. And to be honest, I still love being surprised and awed by Him.
So, friend, as you’re listening to my story and you’re having all the feels…and they’re not the good kind of feels…because you don’t feel like you’re rising from the ashes, in fact you feel like you’re just burning down, I don’t want you to be discouraged. It’s never too late for things to turn around. What could you do to take one step closer to surrendering all of it? What could you tell God - Who’s listening, by the way - about what it is that you need? How can you take one step closer to seeking Him in an intimate relationship? He’s just waiting for that. Seek Him first, and all the things that concern you will be taken care of. It’s a principle you can count on!
Friend, if you’re not on my email list but would like to get reminders about the podcast episodes when they drop and you’d like to get an occasional email with some pro life-tips I’m learning, jump over to my website triciazody.com and subscribe.
There you’ll also be able to find out more about Life Coaching and how to work with me. If you’re ready to be one of those who are rising from your own ashes like a phoenix, let’s do this! And I can even give you a guarantee. If you bring your faith, even as small as a mustard seed, to this work, I can guarantee that you, too, will get this freedom! You too will rise from the ashes.
I’ve put a link in the show notes for a free 30-minute call just so we can see if we’re a good fit to work together and show you how Life Coaching would work for you.
Okay, have a fantastic week everyone. See you next Wednesday for the next episode of Another Beautiful Life podcast.
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