Beacons of Bravery Podcast Cari Normand

In todays episode we discuss the feeling of being "trapped" in situations in life--when it doesn't seem that there's a way out.
Rest assured, there is.
As the Indian poet Rabindraneth Tagore (1861-1941) said:
"The winds of grace are always blowing, but it is you that must raise your sails."
We cover this metaphor, as well as a "bird in a cage" metaphor.
There is a journaling/visualization prompt that, if used, will help you set your sails to the brighter future that you desire.
My hope is that you will receive inspiration to keep going and live to your fullest potential.
Please contact me at:  beaconsofbravery@gmail.com  
Especially, as we discussed on this episode, if you have a story about how you felt trapped in a situation of your life, and how you got out of that trap.  I would love to have you as a guest on this show!
As always, the best way to show your support for the show is to rate and and review it on Apple podcasts.  If you got something meaningful out of this episode, please share it with a friend who may need it.
Thanks!  Go out there and be brave today!
 

Welcome back my friends!
It's been a long while, but I've been thinking about you and this episode for a long time.
In this episode you'll learn how to "literally" and "figuratively" get out of the quicksands in your life.  If you've been stagnant and stuck, I hope this will help pull you out.  Let's do this New Year in a better place!
If you'd like to contact me please email Beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  I'd love to hear from you and help in any way I can.
If you liked this episode, please share it with a friend.  If you would leave a rating or review on Apple podcasts, that would be the icing on top.  It helps other people find the show.
Thanks! 
Thanks for listening!

Welcome to episode 39 of the Beacons of Bravery podcast!
Tune in if you feel stuck in life and don't see a way through your current circumstances.  There's always a silver lining to whatever you're going through.
We'll talk about Neil Pasricha's work with the "Invisible Staircase" of our life and that we often are terrible predictors of our future.  Our current circumstances, set-backs and trials are often a blessing in disguise for a future far beyond what we could imagine.
We'll also talk about looking at our lives in the perspective of the growth rings of a tree, they tell a lot of our history but also show us why we are strong enough to face the future.
As always, I'd love to hear from you if you connect with anything on this episode.  You can email me at beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  Or DM me on Instagram @ cari.normand or on Facebook @ Cari Yocom Normand.
YOU are why I do this podcast!

In this solo episode we dive into an insidious fear, one that most of us don't think we have, yet it rears it's head when we least expect it.  The Fear of Success.
While we can all relate to the fear of failure, public embarrassment, etc.  We don't realize that our dreams and goals may be extinguished by the fear of success.
We delve into the phenomena of "Tall Poppie Syndrome" and the "Crabs in a Bucket" mentality.
Also referenced (and highly recommended) is the book "Change Your Story, Change Your Life" by Kendra Hall.  This book relates to all obstacles that may keep us from achieving our goals, not just the fear of success.
The book "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" by Susan Jeffers, PhD is also referenced.  This book will be revisited frequently in the episodes relating to fears of all kinds.
If you have a take-away, or Ah-Ha moment, from this episode,  please share it on your social medial and tag me.  I can be found on Instagram @ cari.normand or on Facebook @ Cari Yocom Normand.  Or email me at beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.
I will respond to every comment and would love to have you as a guest if your story can be of service to the BOB audience.
Thanks for listening! 

Welcome back to the Beacon's of Bravery podcast, where we rejoin the "What keeps us stuck? series."  Today I have a special guest, Colleen Frazier.  One of my very best childhood friends.  We lost touch after our high school senior trip, but reconnected 5 years ago.  We decided this past Christmas that we needed to go on a trip to celebrate turning 50 this year.
So we did just that and this episode gives a run down of our adventure in the UK and Ireland.  Yes, you could say it was "just a trip."  But we learned so much about ourselves and others during this time.  Its a broader perspective that can help us get "unstuck" in our lives.  I needed it, and if you're feeling stuck, I hope you will listen in to be inspired to do something you want to do, especially if it involves leaving your comfort zone.
As always, you can connect with me on Instagram @cari.normand.  Or give Colleen a shout on Instagram @colleen_frazier.  You can also message me on Facebook at Cari Yocom Normand.
If you liked this show, please share it with others who would enjoy it.  And if you would take the 30 seconds to leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts it would be the icing on top.  Its the best way to help others find this podcast and spread the message of hope.

We're starting our themed series "What Keeps Us Stuck" with the first culprit--Perfectionism.
Perfectionism is what (we think) makes us appear good on the outside, while it keeps us small and unfulfilled in our lives, especially if we want to achieve new things and big goals.  It's what also keeps us from being relatable.
Even if you don't self-identify as a perfectionist, you should listen in to see how we all have a shade of perfectionism and also to help you understand the perfectionist you love.
We explore Brene Brown's explanation of perfectionism in her book "Daring Greatly" where she explains that this is one of the armors we pick up in our early years to protect us from feelings of shame and judgement.  
We also share quotes from Cathy Heller's book "Don't Keep Your Day Job", a quote from author Daniel Pink, some information from Carol Dweck's YouTube video on perfectionism, a quote from the famous inspirational speaker Les Brown and some helpful information from Sam Laura Brown's podcast "The Perfectionism Podcast."
I highly recommend you check out any and all of these people's work if you identify that perfectionism may be holding you back from fulfilling your dreams.  Credit goes all to them, I've just curated their information and given examples from my own life.
If you enjoy this episode, or if you would like to be a future guest,  please let me know by tagging or DM'ing me on social media @ Cari.Normand or Beacons of Bravery on IG, Cari Yocom Normand on FB or email me at Beaconsofbravery@gmail.com.  Let me know how perfectionism has affected your life.  
And a huge thank you for listening, sharing and reviewing the Beacons of Bravery podcast.  You are why I'm here and I love to hear your feedback!