Inspired and Unstoppable is my favorite book of the year! I just finished today and couldn’t wait to share it. Like many books I love, it beckoned to me from the bookstore shelves as I walked by. At first I was put off by it’s length (it’s nearly 300 pages), but as I prepared to go away for my writing retreat – which I now consider a social experiment – something told me to throw it in my bag. Boy, am I glad I did.
I should probably fess up and tell you had I not read her book I’d likely consider this time away a dismal failure. Much to my chagrin, I will not be coming back with a finished manuscript or anything that resembles something I’ll be giving to a publisher. I started reading the book because I felt like everything I was writing was drivel, and frankly I wasn’t particularly inspired to do much to support my dreams. In fact, I wasn’t motivated to do much other than rest. (Which I later learned was just fine.)
From the first pages, my spirit began to settle. Tama Kieves was a person who had walked my path. She believed in inspired success, understood this burning desire in the very depths of my soul, and was wildly cheering me on to pursue my dreams. It’s one of those books you just fall into, as if you’re talking to a friend that knows you well and loves you anyway. Her assertion that “I am meant to succeed in the work I love” was confirmation that this unorthodox life I’ve chosen to answer this call that only I can hear is THE life for me. It is MY path, and my journey will be unique to ME.
When I left Susan G. Komen, I made the decision not to pursue full-time employment. I simply couldn’t wrap my mind around working at any one organization. Every time someone would call me about a job there was a small voice that kept whispering, “It’s too small”. At the time I couldn’t figure out what that meant. These were what my grandmother would call “good jobs”, but somehow I just knew God had other plans for me – to inspire individuals and organizations to defy the status quo, to go beyond, and to embrace abundant living. He wanted to use me as a change maker to impact the world.
How insane I sounded to myself, little me trying to make a difference in the big world. I was exhausted, deflated, and trying to figure out where to go next. That’s when he said love them. Inspire them to love themselves, their communities and their world. Encourage them to keep learning and growing. Don’t you worry about whom you’re talking to – I’ve got that. You just let flow what I’m pouring into your spirit and leave the rest to me. You’ve got this and I’ve got you!
God and I have been close for a long time, but this was even a stretch for me. I’m not a psychiatrist, psychologist, life coach or counselor – nor do I have a burning desire to become one. What in the world was I supposed to be talking about? Yes, I had asked God for an extraordinary life that showed absolutely what He could do. But I was expecting him to pick something in my strong suit…something people might think I was actually qualified to talk about.
But you see that would be too easy, and I wouldn’t need Him. Which is why I connected with Tama’s story. For the first time, I felt like somebody got it. She understood I’m on this whacky ride that feels like there are no controls on my side. She knew that while I was divinely inspired I was also secretly terrified. She realized that the old definitions of success don’t fit in this world. In fact, some of my people don’t fit in this world. I am running head long into the unknown – and loving every minute of it!
One of Tama’s “Successims” is that we don’t choose our wildest dreams. They choose us. I’d doubt it if I weren’t experiencing it. This vision I have of a global movement of women that love themselves and others sounds so far fetched and vague, and yet I see it happening already. In less than three months, people from nearly 40 countries have been to visit the blog. I’d think it was a fluke, but they keep coming back. What a wonderful and awesome treat to watch a revolution unfold!
The crazy thing is, even though I can regale you with unbelievable moments from my journey, I still have this niggling doubt about the book. I know God has already placed it in me, but I have to tell you the last week has felt a little like birthing a breech baby. Strain as I might, nothing would come. Don’t get me wrong there are things on the page, but it’s not the inspired writing I enjoy.
Perhaps I went awry because I wanted this book to be perfect, and of course profound. I mean who wants to be forever immortalized as an idiot in writing? But as I read Inspired & Unstoppable I realized I am not called to be the smartest person on the planet. I am meant to be inspiring and authentic, real and loving. In fact, I want love to jump off the page and embrace you every time you read it. That’s what God told me to do, and it’s where I’m happiest.
That’s why Tama’s book spoke to me – because even without knowing me she believed in me, and my calling. She loved me through my insecurities, and freed me to leave all that crap behind. It’s also why I’m recommending it to you.
I know you have hopes and dreams that sound kooky to everyone around you. Like me, you’re climbing an uphill battle in your mind to reconcile the new you with your old stuff. I have two pieces of advice. Get this book. Leave your crap behind, next to mine.
We are inspired, unstoppable and ready to fly!
Loving on Me as I Love You.
PS – As I finished reading Inspired and Unstoppable the quiet voice in my head said now you can write. I know there’s a lesson in that. Guess we’ll have to wait for the book to learn more. Stay tuned… 🙂
Brandon Scott says
Great Post Mom. Proud of you! And no time away from everything where only God can talk to you should ever be looked at as a waste. Can’t wait to pick up YOUR book off the Barnes & Noble shelves. And I will happily leave my crap behind sitting right next to yours.
Emily says
Keep it up K. It’s awesome to watch your journey unfold. I saw this quote today and thought of you. “The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” You’ve always been a builder at heart. A dreamer. A think big and different kind of gal. This new path will require you to summon all that as He shows you a dream beyond even your big ‘ole imagination. Cheering you on and tagging along on your journey even from far away.
katrinamcghee says
Thanks Emily. This walk of faith is a grand adventure. I am so grateful to have friends like you to share it. Love and blessings to you and the family! ❤