“I will not tell you that MTH2010 is the answer. It’s not. It’s the launch pad. It’s what you DO afterward that makes things happen.” – Lara Casey

I proclaimed “Hallelujah” when I read this tweet. Making Things Happen Intensive  isn’t a magic potion or one button fix to everything that you are going through. Nor is it an instruction guide to your life or business being successful, it is giving you tools to tackle life and own it. The MTH experience was the piece that helped open my eyes. It help me realize that I own the ability to choose to face my fears and hit the ground running toward my wildest dreams.I do not think its for everybody either. You have to be ready for it, you have be open to it. Otherwise its a waste of your time.

If you are a new-comer to my blog in the last month, you maybe have thought…What the heck is MTH? Why is this girl so crazy about it? Really Gina, another post on Making Things Happen. Yes. I admit it may seem as I have drank the juice, that I am addicted to this crazy intensive called MTH2010, and even at times that I am selling it.

NOPE. I am not selling or pushing the intensive. I apologize if any of you have felt that way. Like I mentioned above it is not for everybody. All those that contacted me asking if they should go…got pretty much the same response.  I recommended they read the first post that Lara put out there and if that spoke to them, then seriously consider going. I really stressed that going or not was  a decision they had to make for themselves. That’s the first step taking ownership and choosing to dive in head first or know that maybe this one isn’t for you and continue after your dreams.

This experience was BIG for me because it came to be at such a pivotal time in my life. I believe with my whole heart that God had his hand in all of this. Guiding me to Lara’s website and blessing me with a scholarship opportunity. But to be truthfully honest, the last 6 months I have experienced tremendous adversities personally, I have worked through and overcome some major low, yet important moments. I still have tough moments.  Making Things Happen was the place that gave me that extra kick in the arse to believe in myself and face my fears. I have been sharing with all of you because I am so inspired and fired up at how free and right on I feel in my life right now. I want to remember these moments, so I can look back in the hard times and know, see and believe in myself.  My writing has finally come back to me and in all of this really am starting to find my true sense of self.

I am also just amazed at the community and support system the Watercolor crew has created. I am so blessed to have been put in contact with these amazing people that challenge me. support me. laugh with me. cry with me. These peeps are the real deal, we were able to connect on a level that I can’t describe. Now, I doubt this will happen for everyone at all the intensives going forward. I am hoping that the tout dates ahead will open up and get down to a level, where they can walk out feeling ridiculously inspired and fired up with all they can accomplish.

Whew. this one is a LONG one, and so if you have made it this far. HIGH FIVE! A

lso, I need to give a quick shout out to Ross @flosites. My website/blog has been hacked numerous times in the last couple of weeks & Ross and his staff have just stepped up and been amazing. I can’t wait for my whole new branding and web experience to launch with them in the next months!

Fact: people want to break free from pain, suffering, financial distress and major fear so their life’s work can take wings.

Fact: most people don’t want to do anything about it. Most people want someone else to come along to fix it and they will wait, complain, blame a million things until one fine day they realize they actually have to DO something to make it happen.

Lara Casey wrote this in her recent post and it really hit home for me.

We live in a world of playing the victim. Have you ever found yourself saying…..”If only I had more money” “I am just too tired to…” “I am so busy, I don’t have time.” Excuses, Excuses, Excuses. We CHOOSE to use these excuses and scapegoats either because we are scared of change or too comfortable. Now lets drop the victim role and tackle each of these for a minute.

• “If only I had more money ” | Where are you CHOOSING to spend your money now?
• “I am just too tired to” | What are you CHOOSING to do instead of sleep or rest?
• “I am so busy, I don’t have time” | How are you CHOOSING to spend your time each day?

Hmmm. Now does the word CHOOSE make you feel uncomfortable? (I could put it in all caps again if need me too. hehe.) This word sure did make me feel uneasy.  I realized that in all of these situations the accountability (my choice) falls back on me, everytime. To be truthfully honest I can think of countless times I would complain and grumble about how busy my schedule was this summer, looking for others to provide the feedback of “poor baby, you must work sooo hard” or “How do you keep up?” HA. Now I fully realize my dramatization and want to slap myself silly and say…”Gina, this is all your choice. You chose to be this busy… and you are continuing to choose the same path. idiot.” Either make a choice to change, or stop complaining.

Yet change is uncomfortable and often inconvenient. This week I came randomly came across this blog called Life Without Pants by Matt Cheuvront. He caught my attention with his latest post Don’t walk… Run out of your comfort zone read it.  He also had this great e-book titled the Inconvenience of Change. Check it out its powerful message.

So stop waiting for the change, start being the change. It’s starts with you.

I have started my change in paying attention to how I am spending my time. Whew, this was a big eye opener for me. How many countless hours have I spent on Facebook, Twitter, blog surfing, watching my favorite tv shows? Granted all of these things are good and have their purposes, but they are also places that can suck you in going from page to page and then all the sudden you look at the clock and hours have gone by. This is where they become dangerous.

Time is a super valuable and scarce thing in my life right now. Do I want to waste that time numbed out in front of the television or perusing facebook? NO. I want to spend that time with my husband, cuddling with my puppy, reading a book, drink tea with a friend…things that are going to make my life fuller & richer. I am choosing to change.

So what are you going to choose to do next? Continue to play the victim? or step up to the plate and own it. It starts with you….

2009 was a year of…..excitement. amazement. tribulations. hard work. inspiration. accomplishment. determination. injuries. awesome clients. firsts. new friends. travel. learning. eye-opening moments. loving. the start of making things happen. truly life-changing moments.

Thank you all for being a part of my Journey. Here is a sampling of a few of my favorite images of 2009. Looking forward to sharing 2010 excitement soon!