courage to create — The Firegirl Blog

There is magic and holy terror in finally saying, 'The heck with it," ripping off your clothes and jumping in that freezing river, letting it take where it wants.

And maybe it's swift and deep, full of boulders and falls but that’s how you become a strong swimmer. Plus, it’s exhilarating, even if you do lose your shoes.

So if you’re pursuing your life purpose or learning how to build a happy second half, do yourself a favor and recognize that control is an illusion. Stop worrying about step 26 and take step one.

Spring MIndset ResetErin KirkJuly 24, 2020Courage, courage to create, Do your thingComment

As America Reopens - Will You Choose Love or Fear

Years ago I had a dream where a young woman I didn’t know was stewing over a decision she had to make. She explained the dilemma and I remember saying:

“I don’t know what you should do, but I know every decision I’ve ever made out of fear, has been the wrong one.”

So when/if the opportunity arrives to ramp up and rejoin the rat race, remember you have a choice.

Love or Fear.

Embrace the Midlife Burn

The first half of our lives are spent figuring out where we fit, where our container sits, what it looks like, and so forth.

The second half is about what's inside that container.

Midlife smashes the container in ways that are slow and difficult, or painful and dramatic and we humans run from pain.

But when we turn and face it…. It still burns like hell.

Know YourselfErin KirkApril 22, 2020midlife coach, midlife crisis, courage to create Comments

Getting Real with the Enneagram

The genius of the Enneagram is that it clearly called out my false self, which is not divine, but distorted, so I can do something about it. Now I can see a lifetime of ego, pride, fear and striving as the source of wicked anxiety. Of course I’ve been resisting it. The false self I didn’t know I had is fighting for its life.

My soul however, the part Jesus owns, stirs at the possibility of redemption and proper expression of the me he created. Wow. What will that look like?

Seriously, Is This All There Is?

If you enjoy the first three levels on Maslow’s hierarchy, every day, almost without thinking, who is better equipped than you to help someone who doesn’t even have level one?

Whether across the world or across the street, those people are everywhere, and you - middle to upper class American women - are in a position to send your elevator back down help them up.

And actually, that’s where your own joy and esteem is found.

It's a Process.

Three Things:

If you are going to choose courage over fear and do the thing God designed you to do, it’s going to cost you things you can’t imagine. However, most of those things, you were never meant to have anyway.
The fire is painful. Ask me. Ask Billy Beane. Ask Elon Musk. Ask any artist or creator who has decided to make something out of nothing but a wispy curiosity.
The pain is normal and is critical to your growth and refinement.

Do your workErin KirkFebruary 12, 2019courage to create, life lessons, Moneyball, It's a processComment

Stop Waiting. Make a Move - Intermissionary Part II

I knew when the time was right - not too early, not too late - Girl Catch Fire would hire an operations manager: Someone who could catch the vision, sort it out and action it in fun and innovative ways. Even when I was first starting the company, KJ’s name was on my dream list.

Well, the time is right and KJ is now officially on board at Girl Catch Fire.

What Do You Want From Your Life?

On Tuesday, I got back from Montana after hosting the FIFTH Intermissionary Retreat. I spent a whole week listening to people tell their REAL stories; you know the ones that live just behind the masks we all wear. Life is so much harder and more beautiful than we let on to each other. It’s no wonder people love retreats.

Anyway, here’s my hunch: It’s not that we don’t know we want to do with our lives, it’s just that our purpose is usually buried under a pile of crap, and 90% of that crap comes in the form of old, bad, lying stories we tell about things that have happened to us. We don’t even realize we do it.

The Bonfires Are Purifying - But Painful

The reality is, I'm going to be too much for some people and situations. So what? That doesn't change my allegiance to Jesus or my identity as His beloved daughter.

And frankly, if I'm getting heat from all different corners - church and state - I'm probably doing something right, because that's how He got it.

Come what may, I'm just going to trust him to lead me right where I need to be.

How is Fear Keeping You Small?

Your "what if" fears keep you stuck in someday, but I believe the world needs you, doing your thing, at a high level, right now. What is that thing?

Do you need to...

Ask for the money you're worth at work?
Build a case for your promotion?
Stand up and speak truth to power?
Start dating again, so you can find your life partner?
Write the book?
Found the non-profit?
Serve the refugees?

What would you do if you were unafraid?

Get Unstuck. On Purpose.Build a Happy Second Half…

And actually, that’s where your own joy and esteem is found.

Three Things:

Get Unstuck.
On Purpose.
Build a Happy Second Half…