Goin' on a Bear Hunt

There was this cute little nursery rhyme that I used to do with the kids when I needed their total attention.

It was called, "Goin' on a Bear Hunt!"  (You have to say it with a thick, southern drawl)

The rhyme would have all kinds of arm motions and, of course, we would add scary facial expressions and fluctuations in our voice to make this even MORE of an interesting journey to find... "the Bear."

It starts off with motions using our hands on our laps in a marching/walking rhythm while saying "we're going on a bear hunt."  Then we would STOP!  And, there was either a river, a fence, a mountain or other obstacles that we would need to overcome to continue on our way to find that bear!

After we would go through that series of fun events and finally FIND THE BEAR (!) we would turn around and run (slapping our hands on our legs as fast as we could) back and have to re-overcome all those obstacles we just trampled through to get back to our starting, "safe" place.

This is so much like real life.

We go on this Hunt for the thing(s) that we know that we are supposed to find.  That "thing" that God has said "go find!"  We go through obstacles to get there and once we finally arrive, the giant, furry, growling face of fear makes us turn back and run to our safe place again.

Habukkuk 3:19 says that THE Sovereign Lord is my Strength and that He makes my feet like the feet of the deer. HE enables me to tread on the heights (Cynda para-phrase).

I've been in the mountains before and when I get to new heights it changes my breathing ability which makes me feel weak and uncomfortable.  BUT, when I allow my body and mind to adjust to my new surroundings the first thing I notice is the VIEW.  When my focus is off of my physical uncomfortableness, I am able to focus on my new surroundings and see further and farther than I've ever seen before.

God says it's time to take you to new places.

I believe that today is your day to start on that journey again.  This time, no coming back.

It's a day to say goodbye to the old and to be taken to new heights and new places that He has spoken over your life when He was forming and creating you.

God placed this dream inside of you and not only says you are able, but He ENABLES YOU which means:

Enable: to supply with the means, knowledge or opportunity.  To make able. To activate. To make possible. To provide with adequate power or authority to do something. 

So, TREAD on!  Walk on, over, press on, trample, step, crush, swim, climb, dance!! Whatever you have to...to make that step.  It takes only one to get started....and show that bear who's boss ;)

Happy hunting,

Cynda

Gather. Grow. Go.

Welcome to the journey of Grow Life!  We're expanding!!

I am so excited to announce the beginning of our Grow Life life group "Flourish!"  This is considered the Leadership/Mentoring group of Grow Life to create {gather} a monthly gathering of like-minded women, {grow} personal life-coaching and {go} making a difference doing "life" and community/global missions trips.  

FLOURISH Kick-Off 

Wednesday, July 2nd @ 7pm

This gathering is made up of women of all ages, backgrounds, denominations that are united by their passion for God in their lives and those around them.  Together we will be inspired, laugh, make deep connections and leave with renewed strength and purpose.

Membership Fee:  $60 Monthly (3-month commitment is required)
*Payment is Due on the 1st of every month

Membership Includes:

{gather}

FLOURISH ~ Monthly Gathering on the 4th Saturday of the Month!

Music and Special Guest Speakers that will motivate you to stretch and move forward in your       purpose! Bring a goodie to share and let's meet, eat and greet :)

{grow}

One Private Session ~ Sessions will be scheduled at our Quarterly Kick-off
Your private 1-hour session will be scheduled monthly {Personal and Phone sessions are    available depending on your location}

Private On-line Community 
This "private" on-line Community will be available all throughout the month.  It will be a way for us to communicate, motivate and inspire you!  You will receive GroWork assignments and topics to journal.  We will be doing book studies, word studies, etc.  It will change up every quarter so you will be able to grow and....flourish!

{go}

A time to gather...a time to scatter
This is Grow Life's GO! Program that will offer community, national and global outreaches.  Grow Life's mission is to awaken girls and women of all ages to their identity, value and significant purpose.  This organization was birthed from Cynda's passion of inspiring women to understand that they are loved beyond measure, FULL of purpose and oozing with potential to make a difference.  She loves seeing women use their resources, talents and time in making a significant difference in their personal lives, families, communities and make an impact around the world.


Join this strong sisterhood who is ready to step into their positions, make a difference in their families, communities and globally.  It's your season!

For more information and registration, contact us @ (727)597-2378 or email us at hello@growandflourish.com.  Or check out our Event page on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/growandflourish












"A time to scatter stones...a time to pile them up.
a time for a warm embrace, a time for distance." Ecc 3:5

Dream BIG

Has God ever placed a dream in your heart?  One so clear that you can see all the specifics of it?  Maybe you've been dreaming about it for years and got comfy with the dreaming aspect of it...kind of like an "reality vacation."  And you decide it probably won't really ever happen so you allow yourself to dream really, really, REALLY big because it's "just a dream."

And then all of a sudden God says "it's time...Jump!"  At my age, that's a scary thing because I could possibly leave a trail (if you know what I mean!)  Mixed with the feelings of belly-filled butterflies and a combination of fear is not a good mixture but at that very point you have to make a choice to either to step out and trust that you're hearing the voice of God OR stay where you are.  In dream land.

I heard a speaker once say that graveyards are full of dreams that never became realities.

That brought tears to my eyes because I thought of all the reasons that they could of had to not walk out their true destiny and purpose while they were walking this planet.  I also did not want to be one of those statistics.

It's easy for us to see potential in other people.  But, God sees potential in you.

Wherever you are right now in your Dream, God has specifically chosen you to carry it.  He's allowed you to dream about it and while doing this, it has enlarged.  Sometimes it gets too large to stay a Dream, however.  Then, it's time to give birth to it.

I remember being pregnant and growing larger than a house.  Seriously.  At times I was so excited about this new life that was within me.  At other times scared to death.  But, God placed this special Dream inside of you.  You were chosen to carry it, grow with it and to breathe life into it.  While you're Dreaming, life has prepared you for it.  Maybe relationships have changed.  Appetites have changed.  But, it's all in preparation for your time.  For your season.

Jump.

Jump into realizing that this Dream in not just a dream.  Or a hope.  It's a reality.

Jump.

Jump in by surrounding yourself with people that will allow you to dream big with you and encourage you.  Speaking and declaring your dream will help you speak that this is now REAL.

Jump.

Jump into spending more time with the Creator of the Dream to fill you with wisdom and direction.  That HE will orchestrate every minute of every day and that He will reveal when it's time.

Jump.

Jump by saying "yes."  And, knowing that He will be with you every single step of the way.  There's a generation out there that needs you to step into your purpose.  Feeling prepared or unprepared.  Just by saying "yes" to God could be the first step to realizing your dream and moving forward.

What is your Dream?

Start writing it down.  What does it look like?  Who do you see there?  When you write them down it's like declaring it into existence (prophesying)  Habakkuk 2:2 - it's a form of saying "yes!"

Pray and start asking God to reveal steps (goals) for you to start.  They can be small (still scary), but set a deadline for each one.

Let your journey to your Dream begin.

Waking up from our sleep,

Cynda

"He's Got This!"

I had an epiphany yesterday. You know, one of those things that just 'pop' in your head and you have an "ahhh!" moment. Sometimes I'm afraid to admit those moments because usually I get them and everyone around me has already had theirs!

Lately, I have been praying for CLARITY. Can anyone else relate??!! Seems that there is so much going on around us that instead of being just busy, I've found myself in the middle of another dust storm. Not being able to see clearly affects my judgement and, honestly...I find myself overwhelmed sometimes. Well, to be honest...a lot of the times.

But, here's the amazing "ahhh" moment....

It was like the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear...."you walk by faith now, Cynda. Not always by sight." It seems that I'm spending a LOT more time in this "faith walk" than ever before. Don't know if it's just my 'season' or if it's this season in time for all of us. I talk to a lot of people who are finding themselves in the same boat. The boat named "Unclear."

I'm reminded of the story of Jesus and His disciples. Out in the middle of the sea and a storm decides to come out of no where and stir things up a little. I imagine that where they were going was no longer visible. Maybe they thought they were lost...took the wrong turn? Things got rough and they were probably confused on whether or not they should have even stepped foot on the boat!

And now...I find myself in storms just as freaky and where is Jesus? Just like as in the story...He's right here with me.

At total peace.

He is here reminding me... There IS "the other side." God has something planned for us (for you) and when we take that step of obedience to 'step into the boat' we can be guaranteed that things are gonna get stirred up. But we're not in charge of the ship, He is. He knows where we've been, where we are now, and where we're going.

He's in the boat. God has promised that He would never leave us. Whether or not you always sense Him right there...He is. That's where our faith must increase...KNOWING He is there regardless of what we see or feel.

Get ready for snuggling. Just as Jesus was in the bottom of the boat (in the middle of the storm, I might add!), imagine yourself resting in His arms. Yep, right smack dab in the middle of the storm. Just release everything going on in your life that may seem unclear and give it to Him and rest in Him. Boy...it sure makes a difference and before you know it....

The stirring starts to settle, things fall into HIS place, clouds and dust disappear and you are able to see clearer than ever before.

Right now, our hope is in Him. In knowing that He has called you by name and will never, ever leave you. In Isaiah 41:12-13 it says,

"I pulled you in from all over the world,
called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side.
I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Don't panic. I'm with you.
There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you." (The Message)

Father, we thank you that You are calling us to a new level of trust and of faith. Thank you for picking us and loving us - no matter our shortcomings, our doubt(s!) at times....We recognize that You are with us constantly. When I wake up in the morning, I bless Your name. When I lie down in the evening, I bless Your name. You are faithful always and forever. I receive Your strength to endure and I speak peace over every life that reads this and receives it. In Jesus' name...Amen.

If you get a chance, feel free to "comment". Would love to hear from you!

S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g............... :)

Cynda

NEW grow&flourish Course!

Happy Spring!  This season is declaring new life and new beginnings.  Say "goodbye" to the old and moving into the next season.  Just like our physical seasons we walk through seasons in our lives.  I'm excited for the new things ahead and God has spoke new life into existence in YOU.

I have recently written my very own curriculum for Grow Life and would LOVE for you to be a part of this! This curriculum is called "grow&flourish" and is going to cover all 4-steps {dig, grow, expand and flourish} I have designed for Grow Life. This is going to be an 8-week Course loaded with in-depth study about YOU. This is not your normal "course" but created to be an EXPERIENCE :)

Here's just a couple of our topics:

"Who Am I?" Your Story and why it's significant
My Passions/My Uniqueness
My Season-where I've been, where I am now, where I'm going! (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Pruning...not again :/
Dreams into Realities
Setting my Goals - Ready, get set, GROW!
Grow Life Plan
My Story to help others & special Outreach

Course Fee: $120 (last time we're offering it at this price!)
Dates: Monday mornings @ 10-11:15am
Starting Monday, 6/2-7/21
Non-Refundable Deposit to Register: $40 (Required to hold your spot)
Balance Due: June 1st
Limited Space Available so contact us now @ 727-597-2378 or email me @ hello@growandflourish.com

Ready to GROW!

Cynda Harris, C.C.
Certified Life Coach/Grow Life, Inc.
727-597-2378
www.growandflourish.com
www.facebook.com/growandflourish.com - Please "Like" us on Facebook so we can encourage you daily!

I absolutely love the Fall.   Some of my favorite things happen in the Fall.

Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Football, BOOTS (spoken loudly) and the change in the air.

I was raised in a military family and we moved every 2-3 years.  So change is familiar to me.  It's comfortable even though, at times, it's very uncomfortable.

As an adult, I find my "inner clock" sensing it's time for change.  So, if change is not in the event calendar...then I'm moving furniture, changing pictures on the wall...painting a wall in the house (which my husband is not so surprised any more when he walks in the house and immediately smells the paint in the air!).

What I've discovered as an adult is that I like change...that I can control.  When something comes up from out of NOWHERE...I find myself anxious about making sure that I'm planned or I'm prepared enough.  Besides, I have a family now.  It doesn't always effect just me any more.

A couple of weeks ago I was driving up in my driveway and noticed that our two huge trees in the front yard's leaves were changing color.  I hadn't even noticed the change.  But, the trees had already begun the change because the atmosphere was changing.

The last few weeks I've felt this stirring inside of me that change is coming.  Then I started to think about what happens during the Fall season...

1.  The atmosphere starts to change.

2.  The change in the atmosphere creates a physical change.

3.  It's absolutely beautiful to watch the change, knowing a new season is approaching.

4.  Things start to die and fall off to prepare for the next season.

5.  In order for there to be new growth, there has to be death and pruning.

Fall season represents beautiful change, painful death and pruning, but to bring new life to the next season.  It's a process of new things to come.


There are two vitals seasons in your life journey.  Connection and separation.

We are all created to connect.  God wired us that way.

But, there's also a season in our journey that God calls us to let go in order to move forward.  That is where we find our identity in Him.  Not in the things we do or the things we're connected with.  It's for the good and the growth for you to fulfill the plan that He has for your life.

It's your time.  It's your season.  You are prepared and equipped.  Enjoy the journey and beauty of this change, breathe during the process and KNOW that He is doing a new thing in you.

Are you willing to let go so you can move forward in life?

Grow List 

Make a list of the things (or people) that need to be removed from your life.

Are you hanging on to things and/or people that God is asking you to let go of?

Do you trust Him completely - even if the change takes you out of your comfort zone?

"Forget about what's happened;

don't keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present.  I'm about to do something brand-new."

Isaiah 43:18-19

Growing!

Cynda

"A Baby Changes Everything"

With the Christmas season approaching, there are a few songs that are my favorites.  One of them is Faith Hill's "A Baby Changes Everything."

Wow, can that girl sing....

As I was driving in my car - I had the CD cranked and was singing away when all of a sudden a line in the song really stuck out at me...

"She has to leave, go far away. Heaven knows, she can't stay"

This particular part of the song is talking about when she left to go visit her cousin, Elizabeth. I can't imagine what Mary must have gone through at that time. Being young, unmarried, completely unprepared and knowing that her life from now on MUST change...there's no turning back.

I'm sure I'm not the only one, but to be honest with you...I have been caught "off guard/unprepared" several times in my life - not only in pregnancy, but with life in general. Even, the last few weeks I feel something stirring so much inside of me but not completely clear on what it is but knowing that things are about to change.

I imagine that Mary (like us) had plans and dreams and felt that with this "unexpected gift" - that those had all basically poofed into thin air. That her destiny was no longer in her hands....but her response was "I am the Lord's slave. May it be done to me according to your word."

She released it.

A couple of things that the Angel spoke to her were not to be afraid and that she had found favor with God. Those two things speak loud and clear to me when an unexpected turn in my life occurs!

I believe that just like in the natural, God is stirring up something inside of us that is moving, growing and getting ready to give birth in the supernatural.

In my life, I look back at the most times that God has changed my direction or caught me so off guard that I had to learn to trust Him more than I ever have before (not fear) and not lean in my own understanding...but continue to move forward.

I have to learn that God's plan(s) are so much bigger and better for me (and my family) than what I think is or understand to be.

It's when God takes us out of our own comfort zone and says, "You are not meant to stay here any longer. I'm taking you to a new place in Me, under a new anointing, so My plan for you will be fulfilled." It's part of that destiny that He has for your life. This could be a physical change in location, job, ministry but also spiritually...in your giftings, in your perspective, in your heart.

When we let go and fully understand that He is a sovereign God and completely trust Him is where freedom takes place and we realize that it's not about us, but about Him and His perfect "wow" plan.....and, yes, you will make it through to the other side.

I have been living on Romans 8:28 lately...it says "that right now, this very minute, that God is working all things out according to His purposes and His plans." That's my "paraphrase" :). In the Message translation (starting around verse 20) it says,

"All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it' not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting! We, of course, don't see what is enlarginging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

"Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."

You may not be pregnant in the natural, but be expecting in the supernatural! There's a reason and purpose that He doesn't want you to stay where you are....and experience the joy of expecting something great to soon be birthed in you!!

In great expectation,

Cynda