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Be FREE, Be YOU, Be RAW

I once heard, “you have to get, lost to truly find yourself” and moving across the world revealed the truth in this statement.

I have always been intrigued by the fact that people thought they knew me better than I knew myself, and lately I have been intrigued by the fact- that I thought I knew me. Right now you either get what I am saying, or you think it’s crazy for me to say that there is a possibility – YOU don’t even know yourself.

Before you decide whether to subscribe to my blog or to go bashing me on Facebook for being completely crazy, I encourage you to read this blog in its entirety.

There was a time when the one thing that drove me crazy was when people thought they knew “who I was” or eluded to knowing how I operate, almost better than I knew myself. Now a year and a half later I laugh that I thought I knew who I was before moving across the world.

I once heard a powerful statement, “your greatest strength is your weaknesses on overload,” from a dear friend and coach, Dr. Barry Warren. When I first heard this statement, I questioned Barry as to what he was talking about, but after I allowed it to reverb within I was able to see the truth and apply it to my journey.

Most people would say I was outgoing, eccentric, and extroverted as they see it. Truth, be told, I am shy, nervous, and introverted; unless I am comfortable. The key word being comfortable; therefore, my patients, friends, family, and audiences would never believe that I was a nervous, shy, introvert, who was nervous about what others thought; that’s because they know me in my comfort zone. My true friends, like my boyfriend, Dean and best friends, Amanda, Breann, Blair, and Janice; know this and are probably glad “the cat is out of the bag.”

I’m not sure I can explain what happens to an individual when they leave everything they know to be true and start fresh in a completely new space, in another country, another time zone, and in a different hemisphere. Something happens at a soul level, when you are suddenly and completely out of your comfort zone, and no one knows you.

I am so blessed to have an awesome person like, Dean, with me on this transformational experience, but even he will tell you that being transplanted to New Zealand has caused a spark, allowing more of me to shine. There is a strong possibility that the move had nothing to do with it, but rather I was finally “okay” with me; none-the-less getting lost allowed me to find myself.

Have you ever stopped and evaluated yourself? Don’t worry I hadn’t either, until I moved to New Zealand, and all the sudden everyone was trying to find out about the new American girl in Tuakau, New Zealand. I should mention; Tuakau’s population is 3,500 and that I am the only American in the town and one of maybe a dozen in the whole county. The energy of everyone wanting to know who I was, motivated me to do the same.

I was about to find out who Martha Nessler was? Suddenly, I was removed from ALL of my comfort zones, from anything and anyone familiar, and I was free to express me fully. As exciting as it sounds it was quite scary.

I had a blank canvas and free to paint and express. It was at this point I realized the impact my family, friends, teachers, and preachers (MFTP) had on me since day one, but here I was and the only thing controlling my expression of self was myself.

Don’t worry I am still me, just a bit freer.

Today, I found myself, on July 4th (the southern hemisphere), walking on the beach in cowboy boots, my favorite jeans, my Marmot down coat, and favorite two silk scarfs, whimsically entwined. Yes, I said cowboy boots on the beach, which I know my dad is smiling as he reads this.

It was the cowboy boots that lead to this blog. As I stared into the beautiful ocean that lay in front of me, knowing that Dean was watching with a smile, I began to realize the RAW beauty of my transformation.

I was still me a farm girl from the Midwest, transplanted by love to a beautiful island half way across the world; same woman, same boots, just a bit more authentic to herself.

There was a day, when I would have worried a bit more about wearing my cowboy boots on the beach, but today I felt FREE in my boots, knowing I am me!

It is my wish that on this Independence Day, July, 4, 2014, is a day which everyone feels a bit more freedom of self expression!

Much Love. Keep it Real, RAW, and Natural and Be A REAL Human BEING!

Innately,

DRM

Dr. Martha Nessler

Why Settle For Good? When There’s GREAT.

Dr. Martha’s Monday Morning Motivational

Monday, April 25, 2011

Why Settle For Good? When There’s GREAT.

The book, Good to Great by Collins, is one of my favorite books.  Not only is it an easy and enjoyable read, but also its message is simple yet powerful.  The book teaches us that good is the enemy of great and with even the simplest of changes we are able to go from good to great.  While, Good to Great is a business book; the book is applicable to life.  If you lead a life of purpose and a passion most likely your business is a HUGE part of who you are as an individual, intertwining life and business.

Like most people I want a great life in all aspects, well rounded so that all areas are equally balanced.  I’ve always been an achiever in all the aspects of life, wanting the best for my life, wanting a great life.  Dating back to grade school I always wanted to get the most of my education, social life, family relationships, and spiritual walk.  The same holds true today wanting a great life across the board and with aging I have added wanting a great life in the aspect of business and wellness.

There are times we look at others lives and say they have “a great life” but greatness is a personal experience relative to the individual.  The beauty of other’s opinions is just that that they are other people’s opinions.  I always appreciate when someone compliments my life but compliments don’t have to dictate that you have reached the top level for you, your successes and your level of greatness.   So many times we take a compliment as “stop” sign, telling us we have reached the level of greatness for any aspect of our life.  While we have only reached a level of greatness in another’s eyes, individually we must decide what a great life means to us.

Personally, I know that I have a good life and each day strive toward a great life. In my opinion a great life is not place you reach and become idle but rather something you constantly strive for because eventually great becomes a new version of good.  In order to never settle you must set the standard a bit higher.  Interestingly we transition from good to great and then great becomes a new level of good and we have to make the necessary shifts and set our standards to obtain a higher level of great.

Establish your version of great. Be specific and detailed, clearly defining what great looks like and feels like.  Set your goals and establish a path that will lead you to great. We all have the ability to have a great life; we just need to set our intentions and focus.  Greatness is available, wanting it is half the battle and creating the path is the other half.  Enjoy your journey from good to great and don’t let good old you back.  Here’s to us having a great life.

Love. Laugh. Adjust.
Dr. Martha Nesseler, Innate Girl