Audacious Purpose

Congratulations to Madam Vice President Elect, Kamala Harris, on her historic achievement of being the FIRST Black person, First Woman, First member of a Black Greek Letter Organization (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to be specific) to be elected to the office of Vice President of the United States of America.

November 2020 - Take Action Letter

As a child of immigrants, my family adapted to American culture. We held on to our traditions while learning about American traditions. One of the things we adopted was the celebration of Thanksgiving in the traditional sense as my siblings and I learned in school about the meal shared by the Indigenous People of the Land and Pilgrims. We made hand shaped turkeys, cotton ball covered pilgrim hats and colored bright feathers on “Indian” headdresses. As time went by and we learned more about American history, the celebration of Thanksgiving was remixed. It has become a celebration of the blessings that God bestowed upon our family and loved ones. Thanksgiving became a real celebration of gratitude. 

Nowadays we still have all the food. Fried turkey is a family favorite. Add that to the table with beef, fish, rice, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, callaloo, lentils, salad and dessert. We don’t sit at the table to eat because there is no room with all of the food that is laid out. 

When guests arrive at our house, we ask them to write in the Thanksgiving Book, sharing whatever they are thankful for. People share what they are thankful for on that day, recent blessings, list their gratitude for the year,  most impactful moments of gratitude or whatever they want. As part of their thanksgiving sharing, the writer almost always includes gratitude for people.  

There is something about human connection that helps us to feel complete. It can be that one person whose voice and face bring you joy. It can be a group of individuals who add to your life. It can be just sitting outside people watching. We will risk life and limb to remain connected. We celebrate those connections. Hopefully we are not waiting for holidays to remind people that we want to remain connected. 

In my family, most gatherings are accompanied by food and drinks. But the star is always the conversation and companionship. The conversation ranges from the latest popular culture happening to wealth building to health and fitness to politics to planning for our future and anything under the sun. I know that we are not the only ones. What are some of your traditions for family gatherings? 

In all things, I give thanks. This year I am especially thankful or my family, friends and human connections.  Because of them, I can ... 

Action: Take a look around. Who and What are you thankful for? Write it down. Send someone a note letting them know that you are thankful for them. 

Always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

Best, Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions [email protected] [email protected]

WELCOME

Audacious Purpose Take Action Letter

October 2020

Two basic Christian principles are to love your neighbor as yourself and to welcome foreigners among you. (See Leviticus 19:33-34) I think about how the indigenous (native) people of most nations across the globe lived this principle by welcoming Christian settlers and showing them the way of the land. Interestingly the “non-Christians” did a better job of displaying this principle than the Christians. It serves as a reminder that morality and kindness are human traits not based in religion.

The people who cross our paths are often present to teach us and to learn from us. If we treat each encounter as an opportunity for growth, we can accept what it is and move forward from the experience. Some of these encounters may be pleasant. Others may not be. The reason for one may be immediately clear. The reason for another may be made clear over time.  The same can be said for any experience. 

Your attitude towards it makes a world of difference. Begin to look at everything that comes your way as something that is for your benefit. Be grateful. Be open. Learn and move forward. 

Welcome everything that comes your way, but do not long for anything. This is the gift of accepting what is and being grateful for what you have while you Live Your Audacious Purpose. You can be on your journey to your audacious purpose while being open and welcome to who and what come your way.

Action: Think about a time when you had the opportunity to welcome a stranger. How did you respond to the situation?

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

 Best,

 Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions

Forest Trees Branches Leaves 

August 2020

Audacious Purpose Take Action Letter

I have such tunnel vision that sometimes I can’t see the forest or the trees because I’m so busy focusing on the branches and the leaves. I get so caught up in the minute details and the little nuances that I lose sight of the big picture. I get focused on what I want to happen. AND I think it can only happen the way that I imagined.

NEWSFLASH: Most things don't happen the way that you think that they will. 

We are nine months into 2020, and if nothing else, I’ve learned that things don’t always go as planned, but they can still work in your favor.  

Never did I imagine that I would be working from home seamlessly full time, while still employed at my day job. But that is exactly what happened this year. I count myself among the blessed people who have not had to worry about wage reduction, exposure to unnecessary hazards or unexpected job loss as a result of the corona virus. 

I have had time to rest, exercise, read, build and connect. I did not connect in ways that I expected or normally would have. I have surely connected in ways that I accepted and come to enjoy. Teleconferences, porch gatherings, garden walks, car chats and car parades have kept me in touch with my family, friends, colleagues and clients. 

I have visited the beach more times this summer than I have any summer in my life.  I learned to appreciate my home in a new way. I used more outdoor spaces. I have always appreciated my alone time. However, I learned to just RELAX. 

Now that the calendar, weather and daylight are changing, I feel the shift and desire to once again review, refocus and grow. As I analyze my personal and professional life, I invite you to do the same.

Where are you missing out on the big picture? Where are you missing out on the small things? Are you planning? Are you floating along? None of these is right or wrong in and of themselves, unless you are out of balance. 

Action: Take some time this month to think about the past nine months. Then think about the next four months. We cannot cancel 2020. In truth, I don’t want to. I want to make the best of the times we have been dealt. What would it take for you to make the best of it for you and your loved ones?

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

 Best,

 Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions

It Feels Good

August 2020 - Take Action Letter

HI !

After the labor and delivery of my first child, my left hip started hurting occasionally.  In 2007,  I was hit on my left side by a Taxi and dragged a number of yards.  Since then my left side has never been the same, but there’s a problem: I was used to falling asleep on my left side. 

Up to this day, I will still turn to my left slide and try to get comfortable to sleep. I know that it will hurt, even if it does not hurt immediately. I know that I can only lay on my left side for a short period of time. I need to sleep in a position other than on my left side in order to really be comfortable and for it to feel good.  Yet I still turn to my left side.

There is something that draws us back to certain things/people/habits knowing that in the long run they do not feel good and are not good for us.  What are some things that you are doing and that you know don’t serve you, but you still slide back into it? What thought patterns or limiting beliefs do you hold on to, then you wonder why it doesn’t feel good in the long run? Who are you in relationships with that are not educating, empowering, bringing joy or adding value to you? Who are you not doing the same for?

The goal is to do the things that are good for you. To do things that feel good and help you to grow.  Surround yourself with people who feel good to you. 

By no means am I saying that everything that you experience will make you feel good. When I exercise, I struggle. My body hurts. My breath is short. But it is different than the pain from sleeping on my left side. My body is getting stronger and healing as a result of exercise.

When I have conversations that irritate me or anger me, I am learning to assess why. Usually they are an opportunity for me to address some part of me that needs to be adjusted. Therefore I grow. In the long run. I’ll feel good.

Action: Pay attention to your habits, routine, actions, responses. Are you doing things that feel good and are for your good? If not, what can you change? 

Always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose. 

Being You - Take Action Letter - July 2020

Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Like many people, I learned to compartmentalize in order to cope, to get along, to fit in. I am learning now that compartmentalization can lead to your shrinking. Shrinking who you are can cause you to not be your authentic self in order to make others feel comfortable. However, showing up as your full self, allows others to do the same. 

It may be necessary to compartmentalize at certain times. There are benefits to compartmentalizing when you are dealing with a trauma in order to get the necessary things done. For example, when dealing with a loss of a loved one, a job or a relationship, it may be necessary to push down your grief, anger, fear or resentment, in order to lay them to rest, pack up and move forward. However, at some point you have to let the feelings flow in order to heal.  

Compartmentalizing is not the same as showing up as who you need to be in a particular situation. Compartmentalizing is the stuffing down of yourself or dividing the areas of your life so that they do not overlap or interfere with each other.  For example, keeping your role as a parent from intersecting with your role as an executive; or, your role as a Black person from intersecting with your role as a law enforcement official; or, your role as a Christian from intersecting with your role as a school administrator.  Trying to manage these parts of yourself,  separately, can get blurry and cause stress.

How are you showing up in your spaces? Who are you when you show up? Who are you at your core? Do you like who you are? Who do you want to be? Knowing that we wear many hats, what roles do you feel most comfortable in? When do you feel most whole? When do you show up as your full self? 

Action: I challenge you to be mindful of when and why you compartmentalize.  Also be mindful of the spaces and people who you feel like you can show up as your full self around. On the flip side, who do you hold space for? Are you the voice for someone who may feel stifled?

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

Best,

Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions

Learning to Drive

 June 2020 

Audacious Purpose 

Take Action Letter

My mom first taught my sister and I how to drive on our family’s big brown minivan in parking lots.  The initial goal was to keep the wheel straight, turn and loop as necessary and come to a full stop when we needed to. Those lessons were exhilarating and fun. Most times the parking lots were empty or had only a few cars. We were able to maneuver without causing any damage. When she thought that we were ready, we moved to the street with real traffic. 

Driving on the street is very different from a parking lot.  In addition to keeping control of your vehicle, you have to learn the rules of the road and learn how to anticipate the actions of the other drivers, pedestrians, motorcycles and bicycles. Driving is not for the faint of heart. Especially driving in a city or driving in an unfamiliar area. 

Driving in an unfamiliar area or taking a road trip used to require planning. We would pull out the AAA map and plan a route, look for restaurants and rest stops along the way and gauge the time of arrival depending on how far away the destination was. Even with GPS in your car or on a mobile device, it’s still a good idea to plan your route.  It can save you time, energy and money in the long run.

Just as a car cannot drive itself, neither does an idea.  In order for it to work, you have to follow similar steps.

What is your idea.? This is your destination.

Who are you providing your product or service to?

Who are your competitors?

Who are your potential partners?

Map out a plan of action.

Determine how long it should take to implement your idea.

Allow yourself to take breaks to assess how your plan is developing.

Put your foot on the gas and go.

Look back to see how your plan is working.

Look ahead to see how you can improve it.

Action: As a Black Woman of Caribbean descent, I have seen first hand the effects of generational trauma caused by public lynchings and systematic racism. In the past two months alone, we heard of (or bore witness to) the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, David McAtee and of course, George Floyd. We are also trying to survive a global pandemic, take care of our loved one and bury our loved ones without being able to hug each other. This month I invite you to learn more, donate, write letters, protest, have conversations. Below are some links to help you.

NAACP Website www.naacp.com

Black Lives Matter Website www.blacklivesmatter.com

National Museum of African American History and Culture resource, Talking About Race.

https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/talking-about-race

Korn Ferry’s Race Matters Webinars  https://infokf.kornferry.com/race-matters.html

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

Best,

Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life’s Transitions

What You Tryna Do

 May 2020  - Take Action Letter

What is your GOAL?

What are you REALLY trying to do?

Keep in mind that you don't HAVE to DO anything. But if you are trying to accomplish something, your best bet is to create a plan of action with your goal in mind. If you don't know your end game, then you don't know what you are working towards. If you don’t know what you are working towards, you may be busy, but you are not likely to be productive. 

Think BIG.  You might as well shoot for the best.

Think about WHY you want to do it.

Think about how you will FEEL once you’ve done it.

Think about WHEN you can do it.

Think about WHO you might need to assist you.

NEVER say I don’t know.  Saying “I don’t know” STOPS your flow.  Saying “I need to explore that” OPENS up your flow.

Once you’ve reviewed the above, then break it down into bite size pieces with specific dates for each achievement

I love putting PEN to PAPER or FINGERS to KEYBOARD.

Write your vision in detail and make it plain. Detail your action steps.

Whether you are trying to clean out your closet, write a book, get your groove back, organize your household, build your business, create a routine, climb the corporate ladder or any other goal, these steps can get you going and flowing.

Action: Think about something that you’ve wanted to do and take the steps above. See it. Say it. Write It. Do it. 

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

Best,

 Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions

FEAR

April 2020 - Audacious Purpose - Take Action Letter

Whenever I’m about to facilitate a talk or workshop, I get nervous. I know that I have planned and prepared. I know that if I am authentic and know my content, people will get something out of it.  That does not stop the nerves. I wonder if people will attend. I wonder if they will be bored. I hope that they find value in what I’m saying. I’m scared that I will not share clearly what I want to deliver. 

None of these fears ever come to life. At the end of each program, at least one person tells me that they were empowered in some way. I know this time and time again. My fears are unfounded. My fears cause me unnecessary anxiety. Even if I do not stick to the script that I created in my head, what needs to be delivered is delivered. 

While the fear that I feel during that time may not be the fear that you may be feeling, the principles and purpose of fear are the same.

What purpose does this fear serve?

Fear is trying to protect us from some perceived seen and unseen danger. It can cause a physical or emotional response.It can cause you to become physically ill, turn your stomach in knots, render mental and physical paralysis; these are just a few reactions.

Fear causes me to stay on point. I never get too comfortable with what I’m presenting. I always triple check my content. I read in order to stay up to date with what is relevant. I remain open to learning new ways and trying new things. Fear keeps me from being stagnant. Fear keeps me moving forward. 

Strangely enough, in the end fear mobilizes me. Because in the midst of fear my logic kicks in. I know that beyond the fear is the reward.  In the case of facilitating, it is the reward of a job well done. The adrenaline that begins as fear is transformed into energy to keep me excited and alert while presenting. 

There will always be some fear nipping at your peace.  Whether it be current circumstances or past hurts or something that you made up while overthinking. The goal is to shift beyond the particular situation. It can be seen in any initially uncomfortable situation. The fear can make you pay attention to details. Make you research information. Make you seek a new way.  Let fear motivate you, not paralyze you.

Action: Write it out. What would you do if you weren't afraid? What fear do you want to move past? What can you do to move past  the fear and do it anyway? 

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

Best,

 Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions

Que Sera, Sera Audacious Purpose Take Action Letter March 2020

My mother’s middle name is Sara. When I was growing up she would play and sing the song Que Sera Sera. I thought the lyrics were about her:  “Hey Sara, Sara whatever will be will be. The future’s not ours to see. K Sara Sara.”

The future is not ours to see but it is ours to shape. With prayer, guidance and meditation we develop plans and take action.  I started writing this Take Action Letter before the COVID-19 pandemic.  As I am completing it, I realize once again how what I share is Divinely guided. In this time of uncertainty, it is still important that we make plans and take action. It is important to focus on what we can control. It is important to develop and plan for our future; whatever it may be.

One major step is to accept what is. Whether you like what is happening or not, IT IS HAPPENING. Acceptance of that fact helps to reduce your anxiety.  How can you accept what is happening?  By being honest with yourself about what is happening, what you like and dislike about it and what you would change about it.

Second, be open to what will be. Looking at the current situation, you can make some assumptions for the future.  You can then determine what you would like that future to look like and what realistic steps you can take to shape your future.

Next, create your path by taking those steps. Do it. Take Action. Time is going to go by. You might as well be intentional with your plans and actions.

Lastly, be sure to embrace the opportunities that present themselves.There will be opportunities that come out of nowhere. Be ready to act on them,

Que Sera; whatever will be can be what you want to see. 

The only thing that you have complete control of is yourself. 

You can control:

Your reaction

Your peace

How you spend your time

What you allow into your space

What you eat

When you move your body

How you show love

How you support your neighbor

Action: I love the idea of creating your future.  Spend some time over the next week to write about your ideal day and ideal week. What does your future look like. What steps can you put in place today to make it a reality, Maybe you are already living your ideal future! 

Bonus: Check in on your family and friends with a video call.  Let’s stay connected.

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

Best,

 Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions

Love Rules

February 2020 - Take Action Letter

Of course during the month of February it is fitting to think about love (Valentine’s Day) and our Ancestors (Black History Month). Our first experience in love is familial love; the love in, from and of your family. We learn acceptance, compromise, communication, community, generosity, trust, support, encouragement, kindness, tenderness and toughness in the space of our original tribe.  The lessons are expounded upon in our friendships and eventually through romantic love. 

Hopefully our hearts are open to the lessons and expand to receive love. When I think about love in my life, I know that I have always been surrounded by love. The Love of God. The Love of my family. The Love of my friends. And on occasion the heart of a stranger is in the same space as mine and that stranger becomes more; a source of love.

Sometimes we reject the love that surrounds us, seeking a love that seems better. The love that surrounds us seems too easy and available. Sometimes that desire for another kind of love develops into a reciprocal love. Sometimes it does not. 

The Greek have several names for love to separate the different types of love. For the love that we feel for our children (agape - selfless love)  is not the love that we feel for our partner (eros- romantic love), even if it is as true. The love we feel for a meal, a project or a dress (mania - obsessive) is not the same as the love that we feel for people (storge - familiar love). With Instagram, your only option is to ❤️ a photo, even if it  just made you laugh.  

As you contemplate the love in your life this month, I’m sure that you will find more love that surrounds you than you think. You’ll see that Love Rules. 

Let Romantic Love have its day! For it’s only one day. 

What did you imagine? 

January 2020 Take Action Letter Audacious Purpose

Some of us are satisfied with the quality and current state of our lives. We look around and we feel good, safe, comfortable, happy. Yet others of us can imagine some changes to the current state. 

Are you currently living your best life? Your most productive, fulfilling, happiest, thriving life?Are you content with the way things are?  Does the state of your life even matter to you? So many of us are just going along.

Are you living the life that you imagined or was it something different?  

I’m not living the life that I imagined. I imagined that I would be close to retirement and happily married at this stage of my life. Yet I am productive, fulfilled, happy and thriving. Sometimes God has different or more in store for us that we imagined. I also imagine that there is more to be manifested by me, with God’s guidance, in my life.

Manifesting more requires imagination, creativity, productivity, planning and patience. This requires reflection, goal setting and execution. It also requires stepping outside of my comfort zone. And as I recently learned redefining, stretching and elevating my comfort zone. 

What do you imagine for your life?

Are you willing to manifest it?

Action: What is your major must do 30 day goal? What plans have you begun working to manifest it?

Complete this sentence: In the next 30 days I will (insert SMART goal) because (insert reason why) by (insert how)

I will complete my presentation on ethical fitness in order to increase my visibility at work by spending 3 hours a week on the research and the presentation.

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

Best,

 Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions

A few months ago,  I was happily going about my day and my life. Then I saw a post on social media that said, "December 31st will be not just the end of the year, but the end of the decade! Let that sink in.”

I was shook!!!!!

Yes, I knew that the end of the year was approaching.

Yes, I knew that 2019 was the end of a decade.

But I didn’t process it with any urgency, until seeing that post,

I felt like I was falling behind. Like I had better get my ish together and fast!! Then I had some self talk. January 1st is not a magic date. We should periodically reflect, review and adjust. Why do we wait until the New Year to start something new? We should be evaluating our lives throughout the year. We should be open to new opportunities and adventures whenever they present themselves.

I took time to think about what I’ve accomplished all year long. I reviewed what goals I had set and where I was with each. I addressed what I needed a reset on. I also looked at what worked, what didn’t, how motivated I was and WHY.  I find that writing things out works best for my review. For some, a mental review is enough.

December is as good a time as any to reflect on what you have accomplished over the past year.

Since this is the end of a decade, also take stock of the past ten years. You’ve surely grown in ways that you didn’t imagine in 2010. You have likely overcome some challenges, helped others, gained new perspectives.

Have you created your 2020 vision? (I wasn’t going to do it, but I had to. 2020 vision - 20/20 vision. So cliche.’)

Action: See it! Say It! Do it!

See it!

Reflect on the past year and decade.

Think about what you want your next year or decade to look like.  

Say it!  

Write out your plan based on your vision.

Do it!

Execute your plan!

Hire a coach to hold you accountable.

I’m currently taking evening and weekend  appointments for private and small group vision board and vision mapping sessions.  Contact me for details.

SelfCare October 2019 - Take Action Letter

I went on vacation in April. I had a great time drinking, partying, relaxing by the pool and beach, swimming in the ocean, touring and eating in the Land Of My Father. I snorkeled in the Atlantic, which was a first for me. The tour guide told me that he developed tinnitus after years of diving. My response was, "WOW! Really?" In doing the thing that he loved, the water pressure left him with ringing in his ears.

At one particular beach party, people were given horns to blow. And blow they did. We had AH TIME.  If you’ve partied in loud venues, you know that ringing in your ears the next morning is quite normal. It usually subsides over the next few days.  A month later, the ringing had not subsided for me. I went to my primary care physician at the end of May. She recommended that I wait a few more weeks then seek out an ENT specialists.

I delayed because most of the time it is so noisy around me that I don’t notice the ringing. But when it is quiet, the ringing is insane. I still hesitated. If this professional diver had no relief, what did I expect. My faith in doctors to determine the cause of and to relieve my pain is not very high.  I felt like it would be a waste of time. 

This summer I started physical therapy for pain that I’ve had for a number of years. Going to therapy and doing the exercises at home has helped to restore some of my faith in medical professionals to figure out the cause and find a solution. 

I also thought about my future self. I thought about sitting around and hearing this ringing indefinitely because it might not be resolved by a doctor’s visit. I thought about how asinine that it was to not to try to get relief. Because, realistically, it might be resolved, if not by the first doctor, maybe by a future visit or another doctor.

So I made the appointment for a hearing test and to see an Otolaryngologist. I’m open to seeing how it goes. I owe it to myself to take care of myself.

Even when I know better sometimes I have to convince myself to do better. I could have been free of this ringing months ago had I gotten out of my own way.

Sometimes we make decisions based on past experiences. That train of thought does not serve us. We cannot predict the future. Yes, you might think that you know how it will work out. You might feel like you are wasting your time, but you have to at least give it a try. 

Action: What is one thing, minor or major, that you can do today that you will be glad that you did later on?

Do it! Your future self will thank you.

Always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss how I can help you to gain clarity on what makes sense for your life, create steps to get there and hold you accountable as you progress through the steps to living your Audacious Purpose.

Best,

Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life's Transitions

[email protected]

Audacious Purpose Take Action Letter

September 2019 - Preparation! Preparation! Preparation!

Two things in life are certain. We have to file taxes and we are going to die. For some reason most of us are ill-prepared for both.

In America, taxes are due to be filed the same date every year: April 15. While I’m always ahead of the deadline, each year I have to remember to gather the necessary documents and get them to my accountant in time to beat the deadline. Instead of using a system where I keep everything in its place so that by February I can hand them off, I’ll start looking for the paperwork around that time. Each year saying, "I need a system to be better prepared." This year was no different. Next year will be the same because the preparation for 2020 should be in place now. At least as I’m writing this, I have started a folder of receipts.

My parents did a great job of preparing my siblings and I for the inevitably of death. We know it’s coming. We discuss action plans for various scenarios and stages of illness. Life insurance policies are in place. We know how we want to be memorialized. All of the practical stuff.

Yet when that moment comes, there is no preparation. I know that death is unavoidable. I know that I will die and that my loved ones will die. It is not knowing when or how, even if someone is terminally ill, that usually throws us into grief. It’s the finality of this life. I believe in life after death. Though, I believe that it is vastly different from how we “live” and exist now.

What are some of the ways that we can prepare for our death and the deaths of our loved ones?

Live life fully now. Do more of the things that make you happy. Do more of the things that stretch you. Do more of the things that help you and others to learn. Focus on living; doing; loving; being.

Have conversations. Interact with people. Explore ideas. Get to know the people that you love and like in real time. Get to know the people that you don’t like. Even they have something to teach you. Have the uncomfortable conversations. Discuss what you expect to happen to your remains. Discuss how you want to be memorialized. Discuss how this will be paid for.

Have life insurance. Life insurance can not only pay for your memorial, it can cover unexpected expenses, pay off your home, and help you family manage missing time from work. It can relieve the burden of having to go to work temporarily. Because I don’t know who came up with only three days for bereavement and for immediate family only.  The way my family is set up we are all immediate!

Take care of yourself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This can help you to live a more full life with minimal regrets.

Action: Talk to your family and friends about your final wishes. Ask them what theirs are. Get your paperwork in order. Encourage at least one friend to do the same.

If you need resources or would like to be recommended as a resource, email me.

Gratitude Abundance Generosity

 August 2019 - Take Action Letter - Audacious Purpose 

For just under a year, I have been doing the DailyOM course “A Year to Get Rich with Purpose.”  I started the course in an effort to do a better job of managing my finances. I have gotten so much more. One of the first things that I was reminded of was the need to be thankful in everything. If we are not acting in gratitude for the life that we currently live, then we are not displaying that we are ready to receive more.  

One of my evening rituals is to reflect on my day and write down what I am thankful for.  I have been doing this for over 5 years.  I am thankful for the big and small; from a seat on the train and a parking spot for my car to debts paid in full.  If you live in a city as congested as NY, you learn how important those things are and may not consider them to be small. What are some ways that you can show gratitude?

In reflecting on our gratitude we may realize how abundant our lives are.  My full calendar and fatigue are definite reflections of the abundance in my life.  But so are the texts from my children saying “I love you” and “Thank you.” As are the calls to and from friends and family who I talk to often and those that I haven’t talked to in a while. That four generations of my family were able to that a vacation together this summer is a reflection of our abundance. The ability to cover unexpected expenses, increase my credit score and save money are also signs of abundance.

We tend to focus on our material possessions. I was reminded that wealth is comprised of more than the things that we have. When taking stock of your riches and reasons to be grateful, what do you think about? Consider your health. Consider the people who surround you. What about the experiences that you have had? What about the dangers that you avoid, knowingly and unknowingly? And sure, think about your bank accounts, portfolios, real estate and cash on hand.  All of these comprise our wealth. 

While taking stock of your abundance, know that we are blessed to be a blessing. The wealth that you accumulate is to be shared with others.  The knowledge that you have is to be shared with others.  When your cup overflows, your excess should be given to those in need and those who can benefit from what you have to offer.  God loves a cheerful giver. Give what you can give freely.You are enriched to be generous.

I read in the Daily Word, “Whatever I give to life comes back to bless me. Giving thanks for this reciprocity of the universe, I give enthusiastically and receive abundantly.” This reminded me of the cycle of gratitude, abundance and generosity. 

I already have everything that I need and so do you. For this I am thankful.

Action:  

Start keeping a Gratitude Journal.

List ways that you are abundant in more than dollars and cents.

Reach out to someone or an organization that you can share your abundance with.

If you need an idea on how to share your abundance, my one son, Coach Arthur Pollard is helping his team to raise funds for the current football season.  Coach Pollard, is the Defensive End Coach at Pleasure Ridge Park High School.  He is a living example of Gratitude, Abundance and Generosity. Clink on the link to learn more.  

 https://www.reachingourgoal.com/donation/9zvgoYP2XSd5?user_id=3812%26source=twitter

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss.

Best,

Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life’s Transitions

[email protected]

Multi-Generation Living 

 July 2019 - Take Action Letter - Audacious Purpose 

I have only lived in three places in my life: The house that I was born in. The town where I went to college. The home that I moved into when I got married.

The first occupants of the house that I grew up in were my mom, my dad, my grandmother, my sister and some of my mom’s siblings.  I was born shortly after my family purchased the home. Over time my mom’s siblings and my grandmother moved out. My parents had three more children. Very rarely was it just the seven of us in our home.  There was often a cousin, aunt, uncle or friend visiting. On occasion, someone unofficially moved in, or visited for an extended period. Eventually, my grandmother moved back in. Later, my niece was born and lived with us for a period of time.

The benefits of multi-generational living are seen for years to come. You have a live babysitter. You have permanent dinner companions. There is always someone to talk to. Your emergency contacts are on hand. You can secure multiple rides.  You have live in riders.

When I got divorced, I moved back into the home that I was born in. It was an easy transition for my kids because they spent so much time at Nana and Papa’s house anyway. They went there almost every day after school. We spent numerous weekends there surrounded by family. My son had friends in the neighborhood that he is still in contact with to this day.

Your parents and siblings can influence your kids in ways that they are not open to from you. I often talk about the “Aunty/Uncle influence.” When my daughter was a preteen and teenager and I’d make a suggestion, she would often ignore me or shut it down. My sister would make the same or a similar suggestion and it would be the smartest thing ever!!! I used to get mad. Then I realized that she had a responsible adult who I also trusted giving her good advice. What was there to be mad about?

What I found over time is that it takes a village to raise a child and to support an adult. When your village is in close proximity to you, they can help to influence your child’s upbringing and be there for you at the drop of a dime. 

As kids get older, they become companions for the elders. They can run errands, play cards and listen to stories of the days gone by. I remember my grandmother holding my hand to cross the street. At some point, we transitioned to me holding her hand to cross the street. 

Multi-generational living with a family that you trust benefits everyone. Even if you are not in the same home, having your village nearby is a blessing. Embrace your village and watch your family flourish.

Action: Call or write an elder in your family and let them know that you appreciate them. 

As always, I am here to help you maintain balance and regain power as you navigate life's transitions. Contact me to set up an appointment to discuss.

Best,

Mia Y. Pollard, Certified Professional Coach

Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting

Helping women raising nontraditional families Maintain Balance and Regain Power as they Navigate Life’s Transitions

[email protected]