Lamisha Serf-Walls

Dream Changer-Featuring Petra Monaco

by

***Happy Hump Day Dreamers! It’s Wednesday and it is time for another wonderful Dream Changer post!  This week I am excited to share with you a woman who has overcome great obstacles in life to find her true calling and as we all know life’s path is rarely a straight line and many times a topsy turvy wonderful world of lessons, growth, and evolution and Petra Monaco’s story is amazing.  She is doing wonderful work in the world and I know you will enjoy her story.  Take it away Petra!***

It’s hard for me to pinpoint exactly what moment in my life directly led me to this path because in the big picture of it all it all relates in some way.

I grew up in Germany in foster homes since the age of two until I graduated high school at the age of 15. Throughout the years I was exposed to trauma and abuse, neglect, rejection, unable to believe in myself and looking for love in all the wrong places. During all my struggles of trying to find out who I am, I never quit. I was pregnant with my first born at 17, engaged to an American, who I would not marry until later. I moved cross the ocean to find a different life and was left to continue to figure it all out on my own. I married the father of my son and a few years later, we had another child together. We would not work out however due to move beyond our parens dysfunction, but we are friends nonetheless.

Life still wasn’t easy and I continued to move forward believing there is something out there but never quite finding what I needed. I singled parented for awhile, remarried my husband just to once again learn that this is not working out for us. I earned a degree in accounting with the potential of making good money but I was unable to be satisfied or feel happy about it. I wanted more. I loved psychology, I loved learning about the FBI and toyed with the idea of becoming a profiler. But it still did not sit with me.

I learned about life coaching from a television show and thought to myself, now that …that looks interesting.

firefighter
One of Petra’s amazing pieces!

I began to find solace in my creations and crochet and wood burned whenever I could. I started my first business Hippie’s Creations. I find it therapeutic to create with fibers or burn on wood. It’s been my tool towards healing where I look within, analyze my situations and figure out a way to move forward.

In my 30’s I gave birth to my fourth child who at the age of four was diagnosed with a rare metabolic genetic disorder. I think that this ultimately tipped me over to follow my dreams and pursue what I wanted out of life. But it appeared I was not ready to acknowledge what I wanted and had a few more things to learn. I opened a brick and mortar store but closed it a year later still not feeling good about life. I left a relationship that did me more harm than good and my growth was huge.

I wrote a book about what I remembered of my life which helped me move forward, create boundaries, and live a much healthier life. I still have some work to do but I am enjoying the path I have taken.

In 2010 I started working as an intensive in-home counselor and I LOVED my work. I am still with the same company and continue to help children figure it all out providing them with therapy as they need. But as a mom with a child who has disabilities and remembering the life coaching show I started to explore it more.

I am in the process of writing a book, sharing my son’s inspirational story of survival and his incredible will to live. I have also started Fostered Life, in which I help individuals find the time to balance work, family and live the life they have envisioned. I am offering pro bono coaching sessions to foster children who are aging out and need a little help reaching their goals!

Petra

PetraPetra is a former foster child ready to change the world one pebble at a time. She’s the author of Betrayal: The Journey: Childhood Memories and the Adult Awakening. She is a mother of a special needs child and is in the process of writing a book about his journey of rare genetic disorder and surviving three liver transplants. You can get a glimpse of his life at www.lennonsworld.com . Petra is also a crochet and pyrographic artist and shares this world over at Hippie’s Creations . In addition to sharing the arts with the world, she is helping individuals foster their dreams by creating new thoughts and habits along the way to be come the person we should be and live the live we want! Connect with her at www.fosteredlife.com .

Transformation, Growth, & Group Coaching for YOU!

by

photo credit: wetribe via photopin cc
photo credit: wetribe via photopin cc

If you would have told me 5 or 10 years ago that I would be a business owner with no other full-time income other than my business, I certainly wouldn’t have believed you.  I never really wanted or thought about being my own boss as much as I really wanted to love what I do and have the freedom and flexibility in my life to do more of what I love.  Seems obvious that being my own boss would provide all of that, but I didn’t put the two together until I realized life coaching was my calling.

Since then, I have found this path to be one of the most amazing and life transforming experiences.  I have learned (and continue to learn) a ton about myself, my life, my preferences, and how I work best.  I am learning to let go of the old story of success and what that means in traditional society and am stepping into my power more and more every day.  I am reaching beyond my previously set boundaries and am expanding my reach, my knowledge, and my faith in the Universe that all things are working out exactly as they are meant to.

I am also stepping into a bit of a new direction business wise that is causing me to learn, grow, and evolve even more quickly.  It’s a process and a journey that I wouldn’t give up for the world and I am so grateful for the opportunity to stand in my power helping other business owners and freedom-seekers do the same.

What is a freedom-seeker you ask?

Simply put, it is a person who desires to walk their own path and find (and live) their true calling.  They wish to do what they love, stand in that power, and live the life of their dreams…as they see fit.  Whether it’s a mansion by the beach or a life of travel, they want to create a life that allows them to do as they please.  They want to grow, learn, evolve, and become more of who they are and be comfortable and confident in themselves.  These are people who are similar to the ‘purple people‘ in that they feel the call to follow their inspiration and intuition as opposed to logic and reality.  Crystal Davis (an amazing, talented, and very creative woman and friend) owner of Poetic Empire posted on Facebook yesterday that “Reality is irrelevant.”(I love that quote!) and freedom-seekers know this on some level and the more they live it, the more they feel their calling and truth.

These are the people I know I am meant to work with because I am one of them.  I am proud to say I had the courage to step out on faith and step into my calling, my purpose, and my passion.  I have learned a lot on this path and my hope is that I can pass a bit of that knowledge to others who are doing the same.

That is why I have created a program specifically for heart-centered business owners (and soon to be business owners) that are doing work they love.  This 3-month group coaching program(beginning in June) provides you the coaching, support, community, and practical tips to break through the blocks and barriers you may be experiencing in your business life.  It will help you grow stronger in your confidence for your craft, provide tools for dealing with fear, self-sabotage, abundance issues, address self-care and anything else holding you back.  This is an opportunity for 20 people to connect, commune, and grow together with a common goal to stand more fully in their power, passion, and purpose.  

I will be providing more information about how to get signed up for this program and the nitty-gritty details about what it entails in the next week or so.  So, if you are looking to get your business started or are looking to expand, grow, and stand more fully in your purpose and this is something that you want to take advantage of, please sign-up for my VIP List today so you don’t miss any of the details and deadlines to sign up.  I know that this program is going to bring like minds and hearts together to create powerful change and collaborations that will make your business flourish, so if your heart is telling you to sign up, respond to the call and don’t miss this amazing opportunity to grow, evolve, and become the free-flowing business owner I know you can be!

May you all have a magnificently magical Monday!

P.S. Don’t forget Friday is the last day to contact me if you are interested in individual coaching sessions at my current rate for a period of 2 months.  That is 4 individual sessions for $300 which is an amazing value!  If you are interested please contact me to get your 30-minute consultation scheduled as soon as possible.  Remember, you must contact me by Friday in order to be eligible for this limited-time offer.  Rates are doubling on Saturday May 3rd. 

5 Indications You Should Hire A Life Coach

by

I love working with courageous, amazing, freedom-seekers and dreamers who know that life is meant to be wonderful and who are ready to take their life to the next level.  There are times when I get the feeling that some people aren’t quite sure when is the time to hire a coach, so I put together a list of 5 sure-fire ways to know you are ready to hire a life coach.

 

  1. You just feel stuck.-I have heard this from just about every client I have worked with.  They are trying to get their business, dream, or life to the next level and they feel like they are chasing their tail.  Stuck in a rut, in the mud, or walking in circles, these souls have thrown their hands up and yelled ‘I can’t do it alone’.  Lucky for them, they don’t have to and you don’t either!
  2. You feel scattered. – Some of my more creative souls that I coach often come to be because they have so many wonderful ideas, they just can’t seem to figure out where to begin.  They get so ‘busy’ moving from one thing to another that they don’t make much progress on any one thing. If this is something you struggle with, a coach can come in and help you untangle the web of ideas and help you take actionable steps to creating and finishing your tasks that will lead your dream and business to another level.
  3. You have made some changes on your own and are ready to take it up a notch. – There are many people who are self-studied personal development lovers (I am one of them) and there is a lot of growth you can do on your own, however at some point there seems to be a plateau of growth that happens.  Things have changed and yet there are still blind spots or blocks that need a bit of action and progress.  Working with a coach is a great way to work through those blocks that will catapult you into a new level of bliss and growth you may not have been able to reach on your own.
  4. You know there is deeper work to be done. – There are times when you just know that there is deeper work to be done.  Work that requires a special person to listen, reflect, and help you transform some of the icky, negative, and fearful thoughts and words into uplifting, gorgeous, and inspiring truths that truly reflect who you are.  This often comes at a time when people feel a general loss of direction and they know a loving shift must occur.
  5. You are ready to find your passion and purpose and love life again. -You might feel like something bigger is calling you, but you can’t quite figure it out.  Maybe it’s a new career, a new business, or a creative pursuit you have put on the back burner.  Whatever it is, you are ready to find it and live the rest of your life, free, happy, and passionate…just like it’s meant to be!

All of the above come with this disclaimer that unless you do the soul-searching, honest, and truthful work that growth and transformation requires, coaching won’t work.  There are times when clients tap into emotions, buried feelings, and beliefs that can be uncomfortable, but until you are willing to bring them to light and tell a new story, growth is stifled.  Life Coaching is a process and one that will transform your life for the better.  So if any of the above indications strike a chord within your soul for your life, business, or your dreams, I invite you to take advantage of the limited time offer I have right now.

New clients can receive 2 months of coaching (4 sessions for $300) at the current rate if you sign up for a 30-minute consultation by May 2nd.  Rates will be doubling on May 3rd, so hurry if you want to take advantage of this offer.  If you are interested, please contact me as soon as possible as my calendar is filling up fast.

Shifting, Changing, and Rearranging Services and Prices

by

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

While today is normally my day to post the Dream Changer post, I have decided to write a slightly different post for this week.  The Dream Changer series will continue next Wed, but with so much going on in my own journey and the journey of my clients, I wanted to share a little bit with you about change.

As you know, I have come out of the ‘woo-woo’ closet and am fully embracing the spiritual side of myself and my coaching practice.  With that comes a slight change in my content, a shifting of my pricing structure, and how I offer my coaching services to you.

My biggest concern in all of this is to be able to serve you better in all ways.  In personal coaching, group coaching, and new master classes that I will be sharing with you in the coming months.

This is a very exciting time my clients, myself, and I would venture to say you too.  It seems that the seeds we plant in the Spring are beginning to grow and burst through the soil to reveal fresh green ideas, solutions, and bigger dreams than ever before.

photo credit: Trenten Kelley Photography via photopin cc
photo credit: Trenten Kelley Photography via photopin cc

If you are experiencing this same unfolding, I want you to know you are not alone.  It feels like life and time are speeding up and as we try desperately to catch up to wherever it is we are meant to be, it can get a little overwhelming.  Should you find yourself in that same overwhelm mode, I encourage you to do a few things.

  1. Be still- Take time out of the ‘action’ to just be.  Take a nap, go for a walk, or just be outdoors without your phone.  Allow yourself to enjoy the beauty that comes from just being in the moment.
  2. Be easy-This means being easy with yourself, with your family and friends, and whomever else you come in contact with.  The world is shifting and we are all feeling the somewhat crazy feelings of overwhelm and big ideas and are being forced to stand in our power in ways we never thought we could, so be easy with yourself and know that you don’t have to do it all right now.
  3. Listen- Listen to your body, your mind, and most of all your inner voice that has amazing wisdom to guide you along your path.  Allow your intuition to guide you forward and make sure you pay attention to the feelings and inklings you get as you move forward.

I am seeing and feeling for myself a ton of energy that has the potential to launch us forward into amazing success and at the same time a fear of what is shifting, changing, and rearranging in our lives.  I want you to know it is ok.  It is perfectly ok to feel the uncertainty.  Feel it and allow it to be there for a moment, then move forward when you feel the time is right.  This is YOUR path and YOUR story and YOUR dream, so allow yourself to enjoy it as much as possible.  We weren’t meant to do it all in one day, so take a break, a breather, and relax a bit if it gets to be too much.

Part of the shifting and changing for me has to do with my work.  Who I work with, how I work, and what I charge are all changing a bit and since it is changing, I wanted to give you an opportunity to sign up to work with me at my current rates.  Now, here’s the deal.  I am willing to honor my current prices for coaching ($75 per session) for a period of 2 months IF you sign up for a 30-Minute consultation by May 2nd (that is next Friday).

I am doing this for two reasons, one is that I know there are many of you who have thought about working with me and just haven’t yet made the leap to do so and because this price increase came on a bit suddenly, I want to give you an opportunity to sign up under a lower price.  My new rates will be double what I am charging now per session so, if you are interested in utilizing this offer, I encourage you to contact me today!  Remember I need to hear from you regarding your 30-minute consultation by May 2nd to receive the current pricing.  

In the meantime, take it easy and allow these shifts and changes that are happening in your world to occur with ease and flow.  It’s all working out for you even when it feels like it isn’t…and remember if you need someone to chat with to move through the blocks and barriers you may be feeling, reach out.  We are moving into a space of collaboration and community so reach out and ask for help if you need it!

Investing in Yourself

by

invest

Another theme I keep coming across in my own life and the lives of my clients is self-care.  More specifically how difficult it is to invest the time, money, and space to really support ourselves in the way we need.

Is self-care a pain point for you?

Do you often find yourself overly exhausted, worried, frustrated, or saying ‘yes’ to everyone else but yourself?

It’s time to stop all that nonsense and begin investing in yourself.

I know there are a million reasons not to do it and to be honest, the ones I hear the most comes down to money and time.

We all have money stuff.  We either believe there isn’t enough or what we have is all we will ever make, but that’s not true.  There is plenty to go around and investing in yourself is one of the best ways to bring more into your life.  Sounds a bit backwards I know, but when you are stressed, frustrated, angry, and living in a mindset of lack, do you find you are met with even more lack?  It’s likely you are.  But, what if you took some time for yourself to relax a bit.  Get a massage, treat yourself to a manicure, purchase a course that can change your life, or hire a coach to help you reach the next level of your dreams?  Wouldn’t that feel good?

At first the thought of spending money on things that aren’t ‘needs’ can scare the pants off some people and create anxiety especially if money seems to be a bit tighter than usual.  And while I am not a ‘money coach’ per se, I do a lot of work with my clients on their money stuff because it’s a part of the beliefs and blocks that hold us back.  Our relationship with money can be quite stressed depending on how we grew up, what we were taught, and the messages we heard and in turn believed about it.  The same goes for spending money on seemingly frivolous things.

The truth is that investing in yourself is not frivolous or irresponsible.  It is a necessary part of self-care and life in general.  We aren’t here to simply survive and live paycheck to paycheck or to scrimp and save every penny we have.  We are supposed to enjoy life, feel good, and take care of ourselves, but I often find some people just aren’t ready to take the leap.  If that is you, then I invite you to start small.

Treat yourself to coffee every once in a while if that is your thing.  Or go buy a good book that you have been dying to read and know that it’s OK to invest in yourself.  And should you find yourself wondering about hiring a coach or enrolling in a course that is calling to you, do it!

There are always reasons not to invest in yourself and your dreams.  Money is tight, the car might need fixing, the kids college fund needs to be bigger, or you just don’t believe it will make a difference, but I assure you that you will be better off if and when you do.

I am not asking you to dump your responsibilities and quit your job to invest in yourself, but I am asking you to get in touch with what you really want and need right now and allow your intuition to guide you.  I believe wholeheartedly in the powers of the Universe guiding us to the people, articles, books, quotes, tools etc. that we need in the moment so you being here is not a fluke. Listen with your heart and get busy enjoying this amazing gift we have called life!

You know what’s funny?  I get many of the same complaints and excuses when it comes to the time factor too.  There seems to never be enough time to invest in yourself, but the truth is you just haven’t made it a priority.  I invite you to make yourself, your self-care, your growth, and your dreams a priority.  The world needs to see your light shine and you deserve to live a life of excitement, abundance, and joy.

So I ask you, what can you do right now to invest in yourself? 

 

If you have thought about working with a coach and haven’t taken the leap just yet, I would love to chat with you.  I am taking on new clients for April and I want to hear about your dreams and goals.  If I am not a good fit for you, I will help you find a coach that works for you.  I want you to get what you need to make your dreams come alive, it’s as simple as that.  Let’s schedule a 30-minute consultation to chat about what I do and what you want to achieve.  Simple, free, and totally worth the time.  Contact me today to get your consultation scheduled.  I look forward to chatting with you!