Your Life Speaks to You - episode 179
You can hear it in her voice. It’s inviting, warm and knowing. Wilma Hollis is passionate about sharing the goodness of God. She shares that we underestimate him. “He is more Daddy, not so much Father.” We are his children and as she further explains we are not to leave any crumbs on the table. God has so much more for you than you could want for yourself. Wilma wants to encourage you with this knowing.
Not understanding the connection between our words and our outcomes, is how Wilma frames life speaking to you. And that’s the title of her book, Life Speaking 101: Speak Life and Win. “You have the ability to speak God’s words and get God’s results.” Another layer deeper than most of us tend to think. I like Wilma’s observation that God speaks for the solution of the light instead of speaking the problem. Certainly something to ponder.
Encouraging. Wise. Approachable.
— Wilma Hollis
Listen, Look and Lean
Thoughts from Your Life Speaks to You
I must admit I was very intrigued with all that Wilma had to say. It took what I thought I knew and added another layer, deeper into intention, deeper into truth. She was generous to send me a copy of the book and I couldn’t wait to start. I began after our recording as I wanted to have a conversation without any preconceived ideas. Well, I have now read the first chapter and I am captivated by this technique.
I am tempted to summarize the four steps she outlines yet I think it would be best if you read it for yourself. I don’t want to take anything away from her work! I will share that the way she phrases '“life speak” made me remember a workshop I went to. One of the breakout sessions was called Part 1 God has Been Working: Listen to Your Life led by Sarah Bianchi and Tricia Rhodes. These exercises were done through writing in a quiet room with gentle, soft instrumental music playing.
First we named a few positive events from life that had a lasting imprint, leaving out the obvious ones of marriage, children, etc. This made it more of a challenge. They encouraged us to keep the answers short and not to overthink. Three areas of my life came up for me: teaching - learning that I could; directing theater youth programs: parlaying my knowledge into a brand new thing; the podcast: persevering, learning all the things necessary, the courage to do it, and to keep doing it.
Next we named a few negative experiences that left an imprint. Again three areas (there is power in threes!): infidelity: clarifying what I ultimately want; a child’s death: that I can survive, and that my loved one wants me to live fully; betrayal: once it was processed it helped me to blossom - big time.
Then some questions:
Describe who you are at your best: expanded, fulfilled, connected.
What would you say is always true about you? I am becoming who I already am.
What would you tell your younger self about what matters most in life? It will work out. Enjoy the ride.
There were two more parts to this workshop. Part 2: God has Been Speaking: Look at his Hand and Part 3: God has Your Future: Lean into His Plans. To summarize those there was reflection on our previous answers using provided questions and then choosing a word picture to describe how God made you. One of my ideas was a snowflake to attract other snowflakes in their uniqueness to join me in celebrating what makes each of us who we are.
I do like to learn, I do like to see myself from different angles, I do like to reflect. In this way I believe I become, and in becoming I am a fuller, expanded version of myself. And that helps me be the most me I can be, and it helps you in your connection to me especially if you are fully you. This may sound esoteric yet this is my platform, it’s what I’m all about - being ALL God created you to be, living into your purpose with passion, and being grateful even in the hard times. Don’t leave any crumbs on the table for he has prepared you a feast.
For he has prepared you a feast.
— RCN
