This is the third in a series on LIVING OPEN HANDED. If you missed them, it might be helpful to go back so you understand how we got to this post.
1. LIVING OPEN HANDED: Do Not Fear
2. LIVING OPEN HANDED: I have a Need
Recognizing our fear and acknowledging we have a need leads us to
open up our ring finger for E: EXPRESS HONESTLY———-
This is the second post in the Living Open Handed series.
Let’s consider what it takes to LIVE with OPEN HANDS, in a white knuckle world.
I ask you make a fist again- because generally that is what our hand looks like when we are afraid. Now, consider your knuckles as a tool to help you remember how to OPEN your hands.
But we are going to work backwards.
First, Open your little finger and recall the N stands for:
I HAVE NEED——
When we experience fear, we become aware that we are in need. We don’t often admit it, but we usually NEED God to show up in a big way. However, too often we don’t go to God first. Instead we have to recognize that a fear appears most often because a NEED we have is being compromised. 
If you consider Maslov’s Hierarchy of Needs that I studied in my classes for coaching, maybe you can identify what need is trampled in some way.
But another way to come to terms with your needs is to read the Psalms.
How many times as you read through the Psalms do you find a Psalmist that is voicing your hearts cry.
In regard to your fears (refer to your list you made yesterday), what are the needs that are not being met? Write them down next to the fear. Be as descriptive as you can be. It will help with the next step in tomorrow’s post.
Missed the first post, click here!
Want to read the next one- here it is!
Today I made two visits that I knew I would make one year ago. One with Sarah’s mom and the other to Sarah’s husband.
I met Sarah when I was ‘the youth pastor’s wife’ and Sarah was one of the youth. She was quiet, but when she smiled, you felt like smiling with her.
Several
years later she became the ‘youth pastor’s wife’ and my husband was the lead. Her personality remained reserved, but her smile was now matched by an incredible passion for the Lord that oozed out of her and sweetly touched the lives of the young people of our church.
by Linda Dillow
Well, my friends, I don’t think it is too fair of me to ask you that question and not be transparent with you about how I did.
So…here’s how my last 30 days went.
My original goal was to write 500 words every day. I did accomplish 500 words for the first 20 days. Then we left for Texas to see family and I scribbled things when I had a few minutes, but we were there to enjoy family.I actually thought that I would blog about each days noticing- but honestly, some of the things I noticed were more personal than I was ready to blog yet. I know several of you have said that I often write quite personally. That is true. But I generally don’t share it with you till I’ve done some processing myself. So…these things might show up in future posts. I’m continuing my 500 Words a day goal in December.
started writing about BROKENNESS. That is actually some of what I have been NOTICING in these 30 days. The Series is not complete- but in process. My goal for December is to complete this series.So…How about you? How’d you do in your 30 day challenge?
Did you accomplish you 30 day goals?
If so, pat yourself on the back!!!! Congratulations!
If not, what were the obstacles that kept you from it?
What is your next step?
Listen gang! We have just over 30 days left in 2015. I know the temptation is to call it ‘HOLIDAYS” and chuck the lists for a while.
But what if INSTEAD we take a few minutes to identify what needs to be done yet in 2014? What can we do that will not only give us a jump start on 2015, but will set up up for possibilities we only dreamed of in 2014?
I hope you will join us for the FINISH WELL CHALLENGE beginning 
today. By December 31st, what you want to have accomplished. Get more details here.
If nothing else, let’s take a look back at 2014 and answer some of these questions.
I’ve set my goals for the next 30 days! I hope you will join me in the journey. If you need someone to help you determine what you really want to accomplish and hold you accountable to your dreams, that’s what I do! I’m a coach! Email me at kathy@greenhopecoaching.
Here’s to finishing well!
If you started the 30 DAY CHALLENGE with me on October 27th, that means you have one week left to complete your goal.
How are you doing? Have you stayed on track with your plan?
My month went great the first 2 weeks. The fact that I set my goal and created a plan went a long way toward moving forward.
But this last week there were quite a few obstacles that I wasn’t expecting. Health, weather, life challenges…!
How about you? Have you felt your momentum getting hung up in the ‘stuff’ that interferes?
Well, today marks a PIVOT POINT! We must choose! Continue reading 30 Day Challenge Final PUSH
In my last post on Broken…Made whole 2, we considered in what ways are we broken and the many synonyms for the word.
So what did you learn? What are the areas of life that need attention? Some things are blaring- we know what’s broken and we think it can’t be fixed. I know, because I already confessed that I felt that in several aspects of life. But often, we don’t notice something is broken until we intentionally stop to look at our life.
Where are we limping by?
What are we always working around because we can’t seem to work through?
But…today’s post is on the OPPOSITE of BROKEN, Continue reading Broken…to Whole!: the ANTONYM of Broken
Just the day before I said to my client, “well, I’m broken, and I can’t be 
fixed. Somehow God will just have to use me broken.”
But this day a woman I barely knew sat across the table in my leaders huddle. She spoke, hesitant of sharing such an intimate story with a group of strangers. Her parents had both died in an accident when she was young. Life had been hard. But now, so many years later she heard God saying to her, “I want to make you whole again.”
In my heart I whispered, “I’ll never be whole. I’ll always live broken.” Leisha’s death left me broken- heart is too ripped, too many pieces have been lost. Some Doctors say I can’t be healed. I can’t be fixed.
But the rest of the day those words rumbled around in my brain. Continue reading Broken… to Whole
For those of you who joined us on the 30 day challenge last week, how are you doing? We would love to hear your comments, insights, celebrations and struggles in the comment box below.
Accountability is a great way to hold you to your commitment. If not here, who is your accountability partner?
One of the discussions on the Challenge call on Tuesday evening was to consider your life as a highway- 8 lane highway. Continue reading 30 Day Challenge Update
I’ve NOTICED today that accomplishing my 30 day challenge of writing is ‘challenging!’
I set a goal for myself to write 500 words a day about what I’ve NOTICED in my day! No, I couldn’t just write 500 words a day about …whatever! I had to choose for my challenge to write what I’ve NOTICED!
Today, I’ve NOTICED:
Want to join us for the
FREE 30 Day Conference Call on Tuesday – click here!
I’ve also noticed
But the amazing thing is that since I have subscribed to some sites designed for writing, this whole other world has opened up to me and with it a myriad of writers: authors, bloggers, journalists, and more.
Some of the writers are just getting starting, which helps me realize that I have been writing for a while. I just haven’t been consistent at it.
Other writers are clear on their voice, and their message and their genre. I’m beginning to get clarity! But I’m very aware I have much to learn.
I’m learning to be serious at writing, I must write! Daily!
And I need to plan to write! If I don’t have a plan, how do I know if I accomplishing what I set out to do? One blogger said, “Action without direction is just busy!”
I so get that! It’s true of all of life! I guess that is why I challenge you to join us for the 30 Day Challenge Call!
What is the challenge you have taken for the next 30 days?
Have you made a plan?
How will you know if you have reached your goal?
What is the behavior that needs to change?
What is the attitude that is blocking your success?
Let’s talk about it together and encourage each other in the doing. Let’s do this!!!
Sign up today for TUESDAY’s 30 Day Challenge CALL- November 4th at 8pm Eastern time.
