Grandeur Within, Whatever The Circumstance

If in retrospect we see that things always work out, we can use this same clarity in the midst of struggles, and even before they appear in our lives. Regardless of external life circumstances, we are guided and empowered, full of courage and fully-equipped to reveal the grandeur that lies within.

For other inspirations, access the FREE eBook, Overcoming Adversity with Grace.

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The How's and Why's of Shifting From Conventional Business Marketing to Conscious Marketing

We are in the midst of a massive shift in how business is conducted. Heart-based, conscious business practices and integrity have made their way into the marketing methods of spirit-based entrepreneurs.

It's about time.

Ten years ago I was told by several trusted mentors, coaches and industry leaders that my ideas just weren't "how things are done." Listening to them went against my inner knowing, but I followed their expert guidance because I assumed they knew better. They were veterans in business, after all; I wasn't.

Not one of them suggested I trust--and act on--my inner-knowing, even if it went against convention. Not one of them said I was just ahead of my time and to use existing methods while integrating my own conscious principles.

It was incredibly frustrating to listen to advice from people I was paying to advise me because there was a louder, undeniable clarity screaming from within. As hard as I tried to apply and use their tried-and-true templates, they didn't work the same for me.

It would take me many years of trying to integrate what was clearly working for others--and having these techniques NOT work for me--before I realized the only way for me was MY WAY. I would have to figure it out for myself, use my intuition to guide me and be a bold voice to integrate soulfulness and entrepreneurship. Not only did it resonate for me, but I knew there was a place for it within the mainstream. Some how, some way I was going to find out how to make it work. In retrospect, all I needed to do was wait. Admittedly, waiting wasn't easy.

Fast-forward ten years later and here we are; high profile business owners now signing their emails with "In Service," or "Blessings," and infusing their marketing content with transparency and love. What a refreshing change!

And much more than refreshing, this heartful approach has a dramatic and beneficial ripple-effect on our society. Mutually-beneficial collaborations are established every day. We help others succeed while they help us. We create supportive communities in which we all thrive. And the masses, our clients and prospects, are responding.

Being courageous and speaking truth and authenticity in all areas of our lives puts us on the front lines. While it may be an uncomfortable role, the irony is: soulfully and energetically, many business owners agreed to be the waymakers, the lightworkers, the path clearers, the visionaries, the knowers.

We feel comfortable in these roles in our personal lives, but somehow in business we think different rules apply. They don't.

What was once important to separate--home life and work life--now melds into one life encompassing all endeavors, personal and professional.

So, how do we shift our thinking, make it expansive, be a model, and allow others to benefit from our unique knowledge and brilliance?

You have a sense of humor, don't you? Use it... often.

You have your own perspective, don't you? Give us an insight.

You have vulnerabilities, don't you? (Within reason) Share them and what you learn from them.

You experience challenge at times, don't you? Let us know what they are and how they expand your ability to adapt.

You have opinions, don't you? Hearing them allows us to ponder things we've never before considered.


No one can or will ever conduct business like you. That may be a good thing or a not-so-good thing, but what's most important is allowing others to get to know the real you. People buy from those they know, like and trust. Open up. Try something new. Be more vulnerable. Be more edgy in your communications by doing something out of the ordinary for you.

The heart of your business is you. Inject your unique personality with every opportunity. It's important that prospects choose you because you give them a chance to know who you truly are... as a person AND competent, conscious business owner.

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The Violence of Thought

As women we inflict violence on other women; the violence of thought.

Do we really believe our thoughts are harmless; that they have no power to inflict great damage? Do we fail to fully understand that we actively nourish or starve each other with the energy of our thoughts? Have we forgotten we are all connected? Do our synapses fail to fire with the clarity that even if we hold our tongues, we actively participate in the enslavement of each other as long as the undermining thoughts remain?

We sit smugly, silently thinking because we suppress our words, we have exhibited some gracious act; that we are innocents. In fact, we have actually committed a worse offense than giving voice to our thoughts.

The violence of thought is worse than the expression of words because it politely veils our cerebrations; the truth of our own thinking.

While desiring to appear pious and self-restrained, WE STILL HAVE thoughts of judgment, criticism, correction, blame, faultfinding, condemnation, persecution, accusation, disapproval, objection, opposition and harsh opinion.

How scheming, and how preposterous to assume we have fooled anyone but ourselves.

If we are not to speak, let us neither taint the ether—and each other—with our silently poisonous thoughts.

May we instead become consumed with the truth that the cost of toxic thoughts is too high to entertain them for even a moment.

May we consciously replace them with the power of thought-vitality that nourishes, builds, supports, comforts, cherishes, honors, nurtures, encourages, cultivates, mentors, attends, sustains, educates, shelters, reveres and values.

For it is a woman who truly understands the power of her thoughts who changes the world moment-by-moment by wisely managing every one.

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Overcomers Aren’t Special, Just Deliberate

So often we think others possess abilities inaccessible to us. We think they have more tools or were granted preferential universal status. We assume they know more than we do or life is easy for them.

None of these assumptions is true.

And not only are they not true, they prevent you from taking full responsibility for your life and your experience. As long as you have an excuse, you don’t have to change the habits that are oh-so-comfortable and familiar! How brilliant is that for a mind-mechanism that tries to keep everything as-is? If you have a reason (read: excuse), you can remain in the cozy little life you’ve created.

And there’s nothing wrong with that if it’s what you consciously choose. But we’re not talking about being choosing consciously, are we? We’re more addressing the subconscious beliefs that linger and debilitate without much awareness on our part.

So, how much do you want a life that radiates from the highest place in you? And what are you willing to do to facilitate that change?

As long as you have a ‘good’ reason like, “She is smarter than I. That’s why abundance happens for her,” you won’t even try to have a better life. It’s a safe, but untrue, catchall that leaves you paralyzed by inaction.

However, if you’re ready to live the highest version of your best self, adopting the seven defining characteristics of overcomers is a jumpstart to having a different life. Those we call ‘overcomers’ commonly:

1. are tenacious
2. learn and grow from every experience
3. are proactive
4. see opportunity everywhere
5. help others
6. develop a plan-of-action
7. act on their plan

We all experience hardship. It’s an occasional state of the human condition. The pendulum swings; being spiritual entities on this physical plane means we experience the full range of emotions and happenings as we journey.

It’s not especially hard to be an overcomer in life:

1. Understand circumstance doesn’t define you. How you respond defines you.
2. Decide that circumstance does not dictate the level of enjoyment--or quality of life--you can experience.
3. Take some action that’s different than all the previous actions that have brought you to this very moment. If you do, I promise you’ll have a different experience.


The Universe conspires on our behalf for our benefit. The greatest personal shifts I’ve ever known came as a result of deciding no circumstance controls my experience. After all, I am an overcomer and you can be, too.

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Charlon Bobo of EditCopyProof.com is a contributing author of the soon-to-be-released book, Overcomers, Inc.; Inspiring Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration. Access the FR*EE ebook, Overcoming Adversity with Grace; Secrets to Rise Above Virtually Any Obstacle Life Puts in Front of You with insights from over 30 visionary experts