Where the magic happens

By Good Magazine

June 2, 2017

So what’s your big dream? How can we make it happen? Lifestyle coach and Good columnist Tracy Manu reflects on taking the next step forward in life … and leaving fear behind.

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been on a roller coaster ride. We dropped our daughter Shaylah off to university in Wellington, which she was soooo excited about. I came home and Sharma our other daughter was staying at her boyfriend’s loads.

I started to feel kind of empty. One moment I was happy, the next I was crying my eyes out. Many people told me I had Empty Nest Syndrome. I could definitely relate!

The positive thing about going through this bumpy ride was that I got to revaluate my life and discover I was living a lot of it through (and for) my children. I was 18 when I had my first daughter; children have played the leading role through my adult life.

So I got thinking about what I’d really love to do, and this is what I came up with.

For many years I’ve wanted to go to a third world country and help. When I think about supporting children in need, I feel a few things… I get majorly excited… my heart feels like it’s going to overflow with love and compassion… and then doubt kicks in and it sounds like this.

What if I can’t raise the money… what if I can’t cope over there and I cry all the time (I’m a crier, I come from a long line of criers)… what if something happens to me and my family are left without a mum… what if I’m just dreaming and I can’t make it happen…

Some of these fears are huge, especially about losing a mum. But imagine if everybody put off their dreams because of their fears! Imagine if we all stayed in our comfort zones all our lives. Yikes – don’t imagine that for too long!

Now imagine if you fulfilled your wildest dreams. What would you be doing… imagine how you’d feel… imagine who you’d become from the experiences… imagine how proud your family and friends would be… and most importantly, imagine how happy you would be!

When I think about this, I move back into all the possibilities. So, I’m doing it. It scares me to say it!

I’ve learned it costs only $1,000 to set up and run a school in Nepal for a year. A thousand dollars, that’s it!

So I’m going to start raising money by saving $5 from each person who registers for my seminars – that way you’ll be helping too. I’ve spoken to an amazing woman who has already fundraised and opened schools in Nepal and she’s heading back again. So I’m joining her.

The thing I love about this story is, I’ve always had an affinity with Nepal. Who would have thought it was because one day I would go there. Life’s too short to stay in our comfort zone when all the magic happens outside it!

So what’s your big dream? How can we make it happen? Share your comments below – I’d love to hear from you.

Read more from Tracy and learn about her seminars and lifestyle coaching at www.blossom.net.nz

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