Claire Dreyer is a woman who lives consciously - with intention, clarity and purpose. But it took a life-changing major health issue that left her bedridden for two weeks, unable to move, before the usually fit and very active Claire became more intentional and deliberate about her decisions.
“When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That’s where your power is. Living in your conscious mind, you can make a new change that then becomes part of your subconscious,” says Claire, whose 'She Set Fire To Doubt Podcast’ has been steadily gaining followers.
"True life is lived when tiny changes occur.”
- Leo Tolstoy -
Self-Discovery: How Deep Are You Willing To Dig?
How deep are you willing to go to know yourself better? To face your deepest sorrows, heartbreaks and loss? Understand the root of your fears, and the origins of your emotional triggers? Writer Claudia Bermudez-Hyun asked these hypothetical questions and got mixed feedback. Some were willing to explore to a certain point, others had no interest in delving into painful memories: “Why open Pandora’s Box and relive the whole painful experience again? I’m done.” Only a limited few were quite open about unearthing and facing their past in order to “unclutter” the path ahead. (Image: vlad-gedroics-unsplash)
There’s no shortage of stories. But what draws us to a story is the way it is told. The power of podcasts lie in the compelling storyteller, who can influence a shift in the way we see the world and people around us. “Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity… that when we reject the single story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise,” says Chimamanda Adichie in her "The Danger of a Single Story” on TED podcast series. (Image: eleconomista.com)
Nothing touches the human heart more than a compelling story that sparks hope, encouragement and good vibes. Many resonate with us. Others nudge us to take action. Some urge us to pause and ponder. A few restore our faith in humanity.
Weekly Sparks’ pursuit of enriching stories connects us to diverse communities of awe-inspiring individuals who open their hearts (some reluctantly) hoping that in sharing their struggles, pain and, eventually, triumphs someone out there can find the courage to pursue his/her aspirations.
We find such kinship with Women of the World. They are dreamers and believers. Their collective narrative of pushing boundaries and overcoming limitations is proof that anything is possible if we walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous and the doers. May their daring spirit ignite a fire within you.
Our Story is really about their stories. They reflect who we are at a deeper level, beyond roles and goals.