For me it was an unintentional and powerful shift. Reading it in Anthony Robbins’ words today, I see it as a viable tool to turn something bad into something amazing.

“The power to shape your life is gained by changing the meaning you link to an experience.”    – Anthony Robbins

I hope you don’t mind, but I’m gonna get a little spiritual on you with this post.  It’s my truth and demonstrates how using this mindset can be powerful.

My relationship with alcohol was at it’s darkest during a volatile and abusive relationship.  I’m not going to get into the hell of that relationship, but I do want to share the day we first met over 13 years ago.

The evening I was driving to meet Prince Harming (yes, that’s what I’ve dubbed him to protect his identity) I nearly t-boned a car that came out of nowhere across 40^th, while I was driving down Harrison street. I distinctly remember thinking “this is a sign”.  I shrugged it off and continued on my way.  Over the years I always thought “it was my angels or God trying to protect me by intercepting that meeting”.

Make sense right?  Read on…

While I was on a morning run only a few months ago it occurred to me, the failed interception on 40^th and Harrison all those years ago, wasn’t from the heavens at all.  It was from the enemy.  He didn’t want me to continue on, because he knew I was going to use my experience to do good in this world.  I was going to take my story of victory and triumph and empower women to stand up for themselves.  To become courageous warriors who will find peace – no matter where they’ve been, what they’ve done, or what’s been done to them.  They will find freedom from their tormentor (addiction/habits) without shame, guilt, and regret.  And they will model that for their children and other women.  Together we will make a difference!

I didn’t intentionally go looking to change the meaning of this event.  I hadn’t thought of that fateful day in years.

This new meaning keeps me going when I think I’m spent.  It pushes me through walls of doubt.  It reminds me that I’m not doing this work for me and makes me fight even harder for my cause.

It has set my passion on fire!

I had to go to hell and back to know what I know.  And I would do it again to offer peace for the woman who is still suffering.

What thought, experience, situation, memory could have a different meaning for you?  Please feel free to share.

– Teresa Rodden, Certified Life Coach