Secrets! I have a fun secret that soon will no longer be a secret because I’m going to share it with all of you.  Yes, the cat will be out of the bag!  My stomach has butterflies just thinking about it.  Keep reading!! … lol.

Most people make New Year’s resolutions at this time of year.  I do not.  What I do is choose something I want to work on in my personal development journey … something that will strengthen my “woman of wonder” status.

Pastor Favour asked the following question the other day on twitter:

“Which three words would define your personal development for 2009?”

I had already been thinking about this very thing.  I had one in mind but I needed to stop and think of two more.  Off the top of my head I listed courage, risk/faith, and focus.  I haven’t been able to stop thinking about those three things ever since especially courage.

For someone who prefers to play it safe, deciding to focus on courage is pretty risky business!!  Wouldn’t you say?

Ok so my first order for courage is to share a secret with you.  It doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m going to do this secret.  I’m just letting it be known.  It’s my way of throwing it out to the universe to see what, if anything, will happen.  Are you ready?  Drum roll please …

I have had a secret desire for years to …. to ….  to ….  sigh … ok ok … I’ll just say it…. to enter a fitness competition.  There it’s out.  And the world hasn’t come to an end, at least not yet! … lol.

That’s right! … a fitness competition. So why haven’t I?  Because I’m scared to death!  Talk about putting yourself out there!!  Do I have that much courage – that much faith & risk taking ability – that much focus?  No, not in this moment but I just might be willing to explore the possibility this year … maybe… sorta… LOL.  It certainly would strengthen my “woman of wonder” status, wouldn’t it?!

I’m trusting that by mustering up the courage to share my secret with the world is the first baby step towards victory!

How do you plan to strengthen your “woman of wonder” status in 2009?  Which three words will describe your personal development focus this year?  What secret desire do you wish to accomplish?

Oh do share!!  Inquiring minds want to know!! =)

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

www.twitter.com/shileennixon

Art is a fabulous self-nurture tool. I am not particularly talented but had a blast taking lessons. I found it to be very therapeutic.

✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

It’s the holidays. We are smack dab in the middle of the most wonderful time of the year, right? Hmm, if it’s so wonderful then why are so many stressed to the max and wishing for it all to be over as soon as possible?

No doubt, as women, the holidays put many extra demands on our already maxed out life. We can become anxious, angry, bitter, resentful, scared, worried, exhausted, (fill in the blank) to the point that we end up lashing out to those we love and care about the most. Then we get to add to that wonderful list of feelings guilt and shame to name a few. What fun!

Any amens out there?? Ok, it’s time to get off this stress filled ride and hop on the train leading to a more joy filled holiday — even with Christmas just 9 days away.

“The Joy In Christmas” is a workshop I facilitate to help women discover what it is that’s most important to them in order to experience a more joy filled Christmas. The following are a few of the questions we discuss:

1. What is it that you are celebrating?
2. What do you really want out of Christmas?
3. What is the difference between your fantasy Christmas and your reality Christmas?
4. What one thing from your fantasy Christmas is feasible to do? Let go of the rest.
5. How can you live in the present in order to enjoy all the special things about this time of year?

Basically it’s about taking inventory of your holiday celebration. Know where you are so you know where you need/want to go. Then let go of all the shoulda, coulda, woulda’s that plague us and weigh us down. Just let it all go!

Next, it’s vitally important that you take care of yourself so that you can give to those in your life. You must take the time to eat well, get a little exercise, and rest. I know there are lots of things on your to-do list but you will get more done if you’re rested and feeling good about yourself. Take a walk, read a book, take a candle-lit bubble bath, etc. – whatever you enjoy doing, do it even if it’s just for 15 minutes.

Celebrating Christmas takes a little different form for all of us. It’s the time of year to take a break from the mundane and enjoy all the beautiful sites, sounds, and smells. This year let it be different. Take each day as it comes with the commitment of focusing on and creating love and joy. Remember, what you think about comes about.

“If I fail it’s not the end.  It matters how you’re gonna finish.  Are you gonna finish strong? You will find that strength to get back up.” ~ Nick Vujicic

Women are responding to The Wonder Woman Challenge from all walks of life.  The stories of hurt, pain, and failure are  beginning to pour in.  I am humbled to be a part of their healing journey.  I am humbled that they come with a hopeful heart as they seek answers. 

I know from absolute experience that when you whole heartedly seek for answers the answers will come.  They have to based on God’s universal law of attraction.   

“For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8

Our failures, hurts and pains are NOT the end.  There are answers.  You just have to get up, dust yourself off and set a determination to be victorious.

Welcome to The Wonder Woman Challenge!  I am both honored and blessed that you have found your way here.  It is all by design as nothing is by accident.  It is an exciting day today that this project is finally launched and lives around the world will be touched.  As stated on my about page, God put this on my heart two long years ago.  I am grateful that He did not allow me to forget or lose my way.

I personally invite you to join, to participate in this challenge.  It’s simplicity is powerful as I know from experience.  I am participating right along with you – we’ll be going through the journey together as we discover more about ourselves in a gentle, fun way.

There are so many awesome things up ahead of us.  I’m so looking forward to sharing them with you!!

Come and let’s journey together!