Debra Kasowski

Don’t Let Your Dreams Turn to Dust

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“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.“

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Do you fear taking the step towards what you dream about? The magic comes from taking the first step. It’s about being brave and bold when others would rather retreat for fear of failure and even success. I remember reading “The Dream Giver” a modern-day parable by Bruce Wilkinson years ago when a Nobody named Ordinary who ventures off from the “Land of Familiar” to become a “Somebody”. The young boy realizes that there is no limits in what you are able to accomplish when you choose to pursue your dreams.

“Before he could stop himself, Ordinary started talking about the Dream Giver, and about his Big Dream. “I was made to be a Somebody and achieve Great Things!” he said. And then he told his Father the Name of his Dream. As he spoke, his voice trembled. He was sure that his Father would laugh or call him a fool.

 But his Father didn’t. “I’m not surprised to hear you say these things,” he said.

 “You’re not?” said Ordinary.

 “No,” his Father said. “You’ve had that Dream ever since you were little. Don’t you remember? You used to build that same dream with sticks and mud in front of this very house.”

 Then Ordinary did remember. He’d always had his Dream! It was what he’d always wanted to do, and what he’d always thought he’d be good at doing. His eyes filled with tears. “Father,” he said, “I think I was born to do this.”

 Ordinary and his Father sat together quietly. His Father seemed to be remembering something, too. After a while he asked, “When you woke up to your Big Dream, Son,

did you happen to find…a feather?”

 Ordinary was shocked. “How did you know?” he asked.

“A long time ago, I woke up to a Dream, too,” his Father said. “And it came with a long white feather. It was a wonderful Dream. I kept the feather on my windowsill while I waited for a chance to pursue it. I waited and waited. But it never seemed possible… One day I noticed the feather had turned to dust.”

Of all the sad words Ordinary had ever heard, these were the saddest.

BRUCE WILKINSON, The Dream Giver

It can get frustrating as not everyone may understand your dream or what you feel called to do. There will be people who challenge you and doubt you. Know this in advance. Thank them for sharing their concern or advice. Ask them if they have followed through on what they feel that they needed to do. Those people who have followed through on their calling will not be the ones challenging you. Be mindful of who you seek advice from. Trust that the dream you were given to pursue was meant for you. Notice that not everyone was given the same dream or purpose.

Don’t let your feather turn to dust.

Be Brave. Be Bold.

Are You Living in the Moment?

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“Ichigo Ichie”

-a saying translated to express the understanding of the importance of living in the moment

“This time only.”

“Once, a meeting” and also as

“In this moment, an opportunity.”

“…each meeting, everything we experience, is a unique treasure that will never be repeated in the same way again. So if we let it slip away without enjoying it, the moment will be lost forever. ”

-Hector Gracia and Francesc Miralles

JAPANESE SAYING

There is a Japanese saying that has captured my attention, “Ichigo Ichie”. I was intrigued as I heard it and said it out loud. If I were to translate it from the hearing of it I would say, “pay attention”. I decided to do some research and learn about this clever saying. The basics of what I have discovered are: don’t postpone special moments – they are a once in a lifetime opportunity; live every day as it is going to only happen once – unrepeatable; slow down and be mindful of the moments, there are no coincidences – keep track of the signs they are the golden thread of your reality; celebrate life – every day can be an experience; and, be a hunter and gatherer of special moments.

There is an opportunity for something new to emerge from you. If you do not like the results you are currently experiencing in your life, you have the opportunity many times over to reinvent yourself to live life fully at this moment – it will not come again. Introduce yourself to new people, places, and things. Learn new skills. Become who you see yourself to be. Be your extraordinary.

Imagine if we each greeted and talked to one another, treating it as “this time only” or “unrepeatable”, how would you express yourself or what would you do? In what ways, could we acknowledge and appreciate the people around us – not what they do for us – instead, for who they are and how they show up in this world?

What will you do today to make it special?

Ichigo Ichie. Pay attention for this moment will not come again.

– EL (thanks for the reminder)

EPISODE 324 – On Becoming a Diamond with Ilana Brandwain

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Debra Kasowski is the charismatic podcast host of The Millionaire Woman Show, 3X Best Selling Author, Speaker, and Certified Executive Coach. She interviews incredible speakers, authors, CEO, Business and Organizational Leaders and drops solo episodes with tips, strategies, and techniques for your success.

In this podcast/video, Debra Kasowski talks Ilana Brandwain of Noble Fine Jewelry from the home of the diamond capital of the world Antwerp, Belgium on becoming a diamond on The Millionaire Woman Show.

Go to www.debrakasowski.com for your FREE 3-Part Video Mini-Course Making Habits Stick download when you sign up for our Success Secrets Newsletter. Book your Complimentary Discovery Session with Debra today!

  1. Connect with Debra Kasowski on Social Media

https://www.youtube.com/user/debrakasowski

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https://www.facebook.com/debrakasowskiinternational

  • SUBSCRIBE to The Millionaire Woman Show podcast on iTunes
  • PURCHASE Debra’s books – Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your favourite bookstore

GPS Your Best Life – Debra Kasowski & Charmaine Hammond

The Entrepreneurial Mom’s Guide to Growing a Business, Raising a Family, and Creating a Life You Love

Let’s Be Curious: Ask the Right Questions, Get Better Answers, and Create What You Want

  • Connect with Ilana Brandwain


Instagram: Ilana | Diamond Jewellery (@noblefinejewellery) • Instagram photos and videos

Are You Becoming the Best Version of Yourself?

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“The people we surround ourselves with either raise or lower our standards. They either help us to become the-best-version-of-ourselves or encourage us to become lesser versions of ourselves. We become like our friends. No man becomes great on his own. No woman becomes great on her own. The people around them help to make them great.

We all need people in our lives who raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose, and challenge us to become the-best-version-of-ourselves.”

MATTHEW KELLY

I met, Matthew Kelly, an author, speaker, and thought leader over 20 years ago when he came to Edmonton, Alberta to speak. I was mesmerized by his Australian accent and his message of “becoming the best version of ourselves.” I have read his many books and newsletter over the years and watched his YouTube videos. I always leave inspired because his simple yet profound messages really hit home. I consider Matthew Kelly as a role model for me – he is truly following his purpose and what he has been called to do in this world.

Who you surround yourself with does make a big impact on how you think and feel about yourself and what you are capable of. Think about the average of the 5 people you surround yourself with. Do they encourage you? Do they offer you different perspectives? Do they challenge your assumptions? Do they nudge you into challenging yourself to become a better version of yourself OR do they steer you off course developing habits that do not serve you?

Pay attention to who you surround yourself with and the habits you have adopted. Are you happy with your results? If not, it is time to break out of your comfort zone. Stretch beyond what you see is currently possible for yourself.

Pick 1-2 habits that will serve you in a big way and work on those for the next 90 days. It could be reading 10 pages of a non-fiction book, going for a walk after supper every night, or drinking at least 2 litres of water a day. If you want to improve your income, you may watch some YouTube videos or listen to a podcast. If you want to learn more about clean eating, you may reach out to a dietician to get some tips, strategies, or recipes. Get focused on your growth.

At first, the individuals might be taken back from noticing your change in behaviour. They may choose to jump on the bandwagon deciding they need to make some changes or they may connect with different people who want to stay where they are. Do what is best for you and do what you want. If you want to become the best version of yourself, it must be intentional.

Raise your standards. You were not meant to be average. You are EXTRAordinary.

Do You Fear Your Own Greatness?

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“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

Have you ever faced resistance when in pursuit of something you feel called to do? Sometimes you see the resistance outside of you from others; you are left wondering why you do not get the their support and encouragement. The resistance you face may be a projection of your own fears. Subconsciously, your fears have come to the surface to reflect your resistance to you. Otherwise, you would not care whether their opinion mattered or not.

Your EGO jumps into protect you – “I want to keep you safe.” All your soul wants to do is follow through on its purpose.

What you fear is the uncertainty, “Will I be able to handle it?”

You have faced uncertainty before. You have come out the otherside if you are reading this. You developed a new skillset. Perhaps a new perspective. You faced it!

With each action, you persevered even though your mind said,

“Do you really think you can do this?”

“You know what. Let someone else go ahead?”

My friends, this is the voice of resistance. The voice given to your fears saying, “I am not enough. “I am worried about failing.” “I am worried what will happen to my relationships if I succeed.” There are so many unknowns.

The resistance you face is your fears. The only way to dissipate fear and resistance is through ACTION.

Trust this: The greater the resistance, the greater your calling.

You are enough. You have been called into greatness!

Face the fear. Dance with resistance. And, step into it!

You were meant to SHINE BRIGHTLY. Liberate yourself and those around you!