Giddyup – Ride Your Story Horse Down a Different Trail

We hear a lot these days about limiting beliefs and how they can control our future success. Author Jack Canfield says:

All too often we’re filled with negative and limiting beliefs. We’re filled with doubt. We’re filled with guilt or with a sense of unworthiness. We have a lot of assumptions about the way the world is that are actually wrong.

We can fall into the trap of repeating these beliefs and staying stuck. For example, have you ever gone through something and thought:

Hmmm, I think I’ve been on this same path before.

I’m reminded of those old Westerns where the posse rides past the same rock at least 3 times. ​Remember those?

Here’s the truth, unless we can move past those limiting beliefs, we’re going to ride that same tired horse around the same old rock. I’m pretty sure he’s sick of it, just like you are. Can you hear his internal conversation?

Could we try something different, Mr. Lone Ranger?

Many people are passionate, but because of their limiting beliefs about who they are and what they can do, they never take actions that could make their dream a reality. ~ Tony Robbins

5 Limiting Beliefs Keeping You on the Same Old Trail

•             I’m not ______X enough to do this.

•             I don’t have time/money/skill to write my story.

•             I’ll do this someday.

•             My story isn’t worth sharing.

•             I can’t finish this project.

There are many more limiting beliefs hiding behind that big rock, waiting to pop up and whisper lies to you from a smoking 6 gun. They only have the power you give them.

Here’s the truth. You have all you need to make sharing your story a reality. You can try something different and move past your limiting beliefs about your story, its value, and your ability to tell it in an interesting way.

Writing or recording your story for a few minutes on a regular basis adds up. Just like every step taken gets you further down the trail and closer to your goal. Give your horse and yourself some new scenery. You’ll build momentum and appreciate the variety.

Words are free, and I bet you have paper and pencil or a computer or phone. That’s all you need to get them committed in a permanent form you can work with. Start now, with what you have. It’s enough to begin moving.

“Somedays” have a way of evaporating like a mirage on a desert highway. How many times have you used this excuse? And how has that worked? Remember that old saying,

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

Begin talking to yourself differently. You have the stories, memories, and experiences stored in your heart and soul. They have shaped you into who you are today, a person of great value. What you’ve learned is worth sharing with others.

In fact, you’re probably already sharing your stories with others as you meet with friends and family.

It doesn’t matter if you don’t know where to begin or have started and haven’t finished.  Tickle that horse’s side with your boot, give him an air kiss smooch, “C’mon boy, let’s go,” and take a different trail. This time, you’ve got a map, a guide, and someone to ride the trail with you.

Giddyup, let’s go!

You are capable of writing your story–and finishing it! You can do this and it will be ok. So, get out of your own way, ask for help if you need it, and begin. Your story has the power to inspire others.

Tools for your memoir writing saddlebag:

Tell Your Story: 10 Tips and Techniques to Write Your Memoir (in eBook and print)

Lifeline Journal

My Family My Heart Journal with Prompts

Memoir Writing Prompt Cards

Personal History Writing Bundle

Journaling Tips Resource

(Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons: Clayton Moore as the Lone Ranger and Silver.
7 March 1956)

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From Cloud Gazing to Puddle Stomping: Capturing Your Summer Story

girl jumping in puddle

The Power of Memory

Did you know that, according to some studies, our attention span is shorter than that of a goldfish? This surprising tidbit reminds us how fleeting our moments and memories can be. Yet, it’s in the rich field of our memories that we cultivate stories. Especially those warmed by the summer sun. This post is dedicated to everyone who cherishes those long, sunlit days, old and new, and the stories they hold.

The Essence of Summer Memories

Remember the joy of lying in a field, the sky a canvas of clouds above you? Or the thrill of catching tadpoles in a nearby stream? Summer is a season of vivid, sensory-rich memories: the scent of horse sweat mixed with sweet carrots, the sound of laughter under the sprinklers, and the taste of homemade peach ice cream. These moments, from the monumental to the mundane, shape us and our stories.

Why Share Your Story?

Many hold back, worried their stories might not captivate others. But think about this: every shared memory is a thread that connects us, revealing the shared human experience. Your stories, whether they’re of bareback horse riding or road trips to unexplored places, are not just about you. They shape the world around us, influencing and inspiring those who hear them.

How to Begin Documenting Your Summer Stories

1. Set the Scene with Memory Prompts: Start with a simple exercise. Set a timer for five minutes and jot down every summer memory that comes to mind. You might narrow it down to a certain decade of your life, or an even shorter time frame. You can also turn on the firehose and let them all pour out. Don’t fret over the details; focus on capturing the essence.

2. Dive Deeper: Next to each memory, add sensory details. Who was there? What did you feel, smell, or hear? These notes will serve as the foundation for richer, more detailed stories. You can come back to these later.

3. Share and Inspire: Encourage friends and family to undertake this journey with you. Sharing these memory prompts can spark a collective storytelling session, weaving communal stories of summer adventures.

The Joy of Collective Storytelling

Imagine the fun of exchanging stories with loved ones, each memory a piece of a larger narrative. This process brings us closer and serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity. You’ll probably discover that you share similar experiences with many. Enjoy the different perspectives and details.

Final Thoughts: The Invitation to Share

Your life’s stories are too precious to keep to yourself. By sharing them, you gift others a piece of history, a slice of joy, and a spark of inspiration. So, I encourage you—share your summer memories, write them down, and let them breathe life into the pages of your story.

PS – A Project to Connect

Consider a long-distance project with your circle. Choose a memory and have everyone write a short piece about it. Collect these stories to share and cherish. This small step could be the beginning of a beautiful tradition of sharing and documenting your collective histories.

Interested in going further? I created a handle guide to help you, Tell Your Life Story: 10 Tips and Techniques to Write Your Memoir. If you haven’t read it yet, let me assure you…it is short by design. No fluff, I want you to get through it fast so you can start sharing your story. You can pick it up on Amazon in either print or e-book, whatever suits your style. But more importantly…

I want you to become inspired. To realize that the life experiences and memories you’ve accumulated are priceless and worth sharing.

(Photo courtesy of Nathan Dumlao via Unsplash)

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Please contact me for more information or to to schedule a free consultation. I look forward to visiting with you.






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    Karen Ray

    Address: 331 Bristol Avenue, Las Cruces, NM, 88001

    Phone: 575-323-1048


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