Adoption ReImagined

Peace, Hope & Healing for Woman in the Adoption Arena

Chapter One Summary: Goodness vs. Comparison Title: Hear Different Perspectives

It is important to hear different perspectives. Different perspectives are not wrong. They are just different. Showing grace towards other view points is a way to show goodness without comparing to show you have the best worst situation. Hearing someone else' perspective does not mean you also must agree with it. It does not mean you must incorporate their beliefs into your thoughts or actions. You don’t have to yield to their perspective to show decency towards them. Some perspectives may make your blood boil, but it is still 100% valid for the owner. Have you ever thought that your negative reaction to different perspectives is caused because you are subconsciously comparing their story to your own? Being able to show goodness to other perspectives without judgment and without trying to debate or change their perspective is a great sign of emotional maturity. Respecting without agreeing or comparing is possible. Being decent involves empathy and compassion in disagreement. Practicing empathy and compassion has to be intentional. Are you ready, to open up, to new perspectives about adoption issues without comparing or debating? Are you ready to learn to hear with no agenda for changing their perspective by comparing it to yours? Are you ready to try to hear from your heart and not from a place that compares?

If I asked 100 people to described adoption, I would get 100 different perspectives. There would be different details distinctly focused on a single theme. none are wrong. Each is explaining the same word from their vantage point. Because of past experiences, personalities and upbringing, all will focus on different aspects and how it shaped them.

That which ties us together is only a blip at the beginning, after that, so many factors mold us, change our trajectory and make us pivot to all have different stories and feelings about the same topic. There is not one aspect, emotion or characteristic of adoption that 100% of those dealing with adoption issues have in common, except for the word ADOPTION.

Being able to hear other perspectives, views and feelings about their story and at the same time not inserting yourself into their story, is the best thing people with a adoption stories can do for one another. Being able to say, “I hear you,”, “I empathize with you,” is hard for many.

The tendency is to compare by telling how your story is worse. This chapter focuses on responding with goodness and decency while discouraging comparison.

Comparison is detrimental to being good and decent. When you are able to hear another perspective about Adoption, even if you don’t agree, both can be important, valid and useful.

How can your story be useful? Being able to use your story to make you stronger is a mature emotional quality that many struggle with simply because they don’t try.

Having a comeback story where you have overcome many obstacles and help others do the same, is more useful than sitting in doubt, uselessness and undeveloped wisdom from your trials.

How can you use your story as a guide to show what is possible?

New Beginnings...Before January

The year is winding down. It is usually the time to evaluate what went well and what needs attention. However, for me, it is time for a new beginning and I won't wait until January. With a little hard work and extra hours, it is ready NOW.

I'm Erin and I am the founder of Steeped In Purpose. I am a Certified Life Coach and Mental Health Coach for women. I began Steeped In Purpose, in 2016 because I saw so many women settling for timidity and secretly suppressing their God-given gifts. I focus on advancing emotional, mental, physical, relational and spiritual health in a positive, forward motion to help women gain confidence and worth.

I offer new perspectives, coping skills and strategies to overcome fear, anger and resentment even when circumstances are not ideal. My aim is to help you acknowledge your part in healing and growth and realize you are not alone.

To learn more about the programs I offer, go to my website, www.steepedinpurpose.com

I am jumping in with both feet to offer selected courses each month, starting in January with Weigh Down for your physical health and Goal Planning to get your year moving in a positive direction. I am also so close to completing a mini-course for business minded entrepreneurs called Align Your Message, Share Your Mission: Uncluttered. I will also be launching more information on my new project, Adoption Reimagined. So, keep a look out.

For now, I hope you make time to peruse the content at my website: www.steepedinpurpose.com There is plenty to explore and it is changing weekly. Sign up to receive my Purpose Periodicals that include upcoming events and courses and if coaching seems like the best next step for you, don't wait, schedule a Chat with me so see if I can help you.

Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Gifts are to be Shared

Your gifts are dangling right in front of you; grab them!

Has Satan written you off as a slave because he knows you are part of the 96% of people who make goals, but never make a plan of action of achieve them? How are you doing on those things (we won't call them Resolutions) you wanted to do for the New Year?

Do you want to be a mom with more patience, but don't memorize Scripture about patience or ask someone to pray for you? Do you try it on your own? Do you want to have a better prayer life and stand in the gap for your husband and kids, but you don't set a timer to remind you to pray or write down specific prayers when they cross your mind? Do you want to be a better cook for your family, but do not prepare with cookbooks or shopping lists? Do you have regrets? Do you use words like 'should have', 'could have', 'if only'?

Change that recorder in your mind. Tell Satan he has no hold on you anymore. "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world,"1 John 4:4.

"Has Satan written you off as a slave?"

I heard that in a song yesterday. If only 4% of people who make goals ask for help with those goals, I wonder how many women stay trapped in the lie that they have nothing to contribute to anyone. Satan is sneaky that way. He will keep feeding you a lie that you do not have a gift, time or talent; therefore you do not ask for help to find it or to use it. Are you a Christian guided by the Lord that strives to use her Spiritual gifts (maybe unrealized gift at this point) OR are you a Christian distracted by Satan because you do not PURSUE your goals by making a plan and asking for help? You are probably one or the other.

Do you trust God has made you with special Spiritual gifts to further his Kingdom or do you float around with no direction, no goal, no passion thinking you are nothing special...Satan loves this attitude and has written you off as a slave.

Choose today before we go forward, to pursue your Spiritual gift given to you from the heavenly realm. Don't float around lost, unfulfilled and confused in the playground of Satan.

Erin E. McEndree is a Life Coach who helps struggling women understand their story and step into their purpose by helping them identify their God-anointed gifts. Her specialty is helping women with adoption issues free themselves of pain, guilt and fear. For more information go to www.steepedinpurpose.com and shop the store for programs that can help you plan and execute your ideal self.