Living at YES! Success Stories Archive

YES! stands for You Embracing Spirit!
In the LOGO, notice the symbol for the "Y" is a heart.
When you embrace Spirit - your heart is opened!

Thinking Outside the Box - Reframed my Dreams into Reality
-- Shelly Winters

Shelley Winters is truly a beacon of light- it is captured in everything she does- she just needed someone to help her shine. Enter the "light bulb moment" that would change her life. While driving one day, Shelley saw a bumper sticker on a car advertising a life coach. "I should get one of those [life coach]" Shelley told her friend. Not long after, while she was having some work done at her attorney's office, Shelley was flipping through a magazine in the waiting area and saw Sharon's advertisement. It reminded her of the bumper sticker so she took it as a sign that she should make the call. Until recently, the effervescent 34 year old Gettysburg native and Director of Information Technology at the Visiting Nurse Association of Hanover & Spring Grove, has used her "spare time" over the last twelve years studying. Her academic portfolio is impressive: An Associates Degree in Liberal Arts - Social Sciences from Harrisburg Area Community College, a Bachelors of Science in Informatics with a minor in Psychology from York College of Pennsylvania, and most recently, a Master's Degree in Health Administration from Penn State University (Middletown). "When I first graduated from high school in 1991, I said I was finished with my education. Four years later, I was back in school with the short-term goal of earning my Associates Degree at Harrisburg Area Community College. However, when I received that degree, I decided I should go at least two more years to get a Bachelor's Degree. When I achieved that goal, I decided I would try to go a little further to get my Master's Degree from Penn State. I just kept going!"

In addition to taking classes and working full-time, Shelley resumed dating after her first marriage ended in divorce. "I met my fiancé, Kevin, in high school and we dated off and on for about 8 years. In 1998 I met a wonderful man (Scott) and we married, but after 3 1/2 years decided we weren't right for each other. Kevin and I remained in contact throughout the marriage and as a result, he became great friends with my husband! When the marriage dissolved, Kevin and I decided to try dating again and have been together ever since. We plan to marry June 21, 2008- and the three of us are all still great friends!"

Despite the happy ending and academic successes, something was still missing in Shelley's life- she still yearned for bigger dreams- but was uncertain how to validate, or obtain, them. Motivation certainly wasn't the problem-it was a lack of inner confidence and that four-letter word so many of us are all too familiar with: FEAR! "In a sense I was afraid to dream for fear that others would see me as just that, "a dreamer." There were so many things I wanted to do with my life- achieve more in my professional career, hone my photography skills, become a published author- build my dream home with my fiancé! I just needed a sense of direction and validation."

After her meeting at the attorney's office, Shelley called Sharon and realized that after speaking with her for the first 1/2 hour, she knew that Sharon would be invaluable in helping her sort out her life. Shelley chuckles when she recalls her father's reaction to her seeking the advice of a life coach. "When I told my Dad what I was going to do next, he looked at me, stunned, and asked point blank, "Shelley, how old are you?" " 33" I replied. "And you need someone to tell you what to do?" I guess it's hard for some people to grasp. It just felt right to me."

Sharon was able to coach Shelley into looking "beyond the box." "At first I thought my career was the main point of interest, but the more I spoke to Sharon I realized that there were many areas of my life that would benefit from her help. She listens and offers perspectives from an objective point of view. Although I have numerous friends and family members, they don't seem to pick out certain phrases that I use often such as "What if I fail?" or "But, what if?" Sharon said something during that first session in response to my fear of failure that has remained with me: "By not trying to do what you want to do, you are already failing." It's a powerful statement that made me realize she's absolutely right; my inability to act on my dreams is causing me to fail without even trying! "

After her first phone session, Shelley saw Sharon at a speaking engagement at the Holistic Expo in 2006 and was taken by the energy behind her lecture. I've scheduled personal monthly life coach sessions with Sharon ever since! One of the biggest challenges I faced was completing a 55+ paper required from me to obtain my master's degree, while working full time and taking classes. Sharon shared some tips on removing the writer's block - and discussing the progress monthly helped push me to finish it. What a great feeling of accomplishment when I turned the paper in and received the professor's final approval!"

Shelley has also found her voice in other areas of her life through Sharon's coaching. "Sharon encouraged me to continue writing and develop my photography skills and, little by little I have gained the confidence to step up to the next challenge. Since talking with Sharon, I have had several photos published in newspapers and books, a poem was published in the local newspaper, an article published in a Middle Eastern Dance Journal (JAREEDA, March 2007), and the Hanover Arts Guild accepted my photographs to be exhibited for sale in their gallery. Another big challenge Kevin and I have overcome together is the manifestation of our dream home. We dreamt and talked about it but were so worried that we couldn't make it happen. Sharon listened to my concerns and has offered many words of encouragement. We move into our home on October 12, 2007!

Through talking to Sharon, Shelley learned it's OK to not just dream, but to dream big! "I've realized that each time I dream (e.g. education, our home, etc.), those things have manifested in our lives. Sharon also pointed out that my fears of failure are unfounded as each thing that I've tried in my life, I have succeeded. For example, although some would look at the divorce as a failure, I've come to realize that it was a relationship that allowed me to grow and evolve as a human being." Shelley continues to "step outside the box" and dream bigger dreams for her future. "As Sharon says, "Expand, experience, and express." I am looking forward to a new phase of my life as Kevin and I move into our new home, plan a wedding, finally get married, and settle down! Oh, and Sharon will be officiating!"

What is your personal "Living at YES!" success story?
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