Tag: self help

Why We Need To Protect The Dreams Our Youth Have

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

 

Growing up, I always considered myself unique and different.

My mother nurtured the creative gift in me and brought my brother and I to sketch at museums. We were well-cultured, attending classical concerts and also learning the gift of independent-thinking. I knew I was different and even more so when I moved to different countries where I didn’t know the language and had to learn to “be cool”.

One thing I am extremely grateful for was the MENTORS in my life that nurtured the WEIRD in me. They believed in me and thought my crazy dreams were special and needed to be protected. Of course, sometimes mentors don’t stay mentors forever and seasons in life brings them to stop believing in you or to be busy with their personal lives, these are all understandable situations.

I started working when I was just 14. Now, not many people were selling makeup at school, but I learned to find a way to make my own money. Fast forward, I am living my dreams with bamboos and orchids on my desk, typing away this blog post on my Mac. Has it been easy? Nope.

Sacrifice IS a must for entrepreneurs. 

If we teach our youth that they have to sacrifice their dreams for security, what are we really doing?

We are destroying their hearts.

Not every youth has a strong heart and is able to protect their dreams from their parents, peers, friends. Especially if the overriding message is  – “BE SECURE AND STABLE”.

Pursuing your DREAMS is not a secure and stable path. 

The sacrifices might include…..over the years of being self-employed, the beginning consisted of:

1. Sacrificing going out with friends and instead forcing myself to eat at home, and at times even being hungry

2. Using second best office supplies, sometimes found at yard sales

3. Bearing the judgements and rebukes of family and friends alike, even people you thought you trusted.

And the list goes on….Though…

The Benefits:

1. Creating exactly and however you want your dream life and career to look like

2. Creating your life based on your top values such as freedom, love, flexibility

3. Leaving town and working at the same time – being completely MOBILE.

4. In the beginning it can be difficult, but if you persevere, the results are amazing!

5. Taking naps when you feel like it.

6. Working from cafes and libraries, choosing beautiful environments to work in versus a cold ACed room with neon lights (ew).

If you would like to hear more, I invite you to join me as I help you map out your dreams to reality in just 2 DAYS here in Los Angeles: Register here: http://modestflyartgallery.com/workshops-seminars/ and see you August 4 at 10-12 noon.

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3 More Days To Save! Learn How I Overcame Doubts To Pursue My Dreams

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

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Register NOW TO SAVE $10 before July 22- http://modestflyartgallery.com/workshops-seminars/

“A hunger for the good life lies deep within us all. But it requires an honest evaluation of who we are and how we are living. Some manage to avoid these hard questions for years, or even for a whole lifetime- diligently going with each year’s flow without pausing to imagine other possible destinations. With the passing of years, our childhood dreams are pierced by reality. Our daily lives are filled with obligations and pressures. As we grow older, we drift away from ‘what could be’ toward a life shaped not by personal vision or calling but by circumstance and compromise”- Life Entrepreneur

 Register NOW TO SAVE $10 before July 22- http://modestflyartgallery.com/workshops-seminars/ 

An Exerpt From A To Be Published Book In The Future….By Me When I quit my full time job: 

“The common question was “how are you going to pay rent?” This question would constantly pop up in my mind throughout the year.

 Now I realize that question was never mine, but the naysayers, the doubters. That question will never be mine. I will always be able to pay rent. Nothing I did made sense. It still doesn’t. One thing that I started doing more was listening to the spirit, the creator, a higher being. I took time to meditate and slow down. The meditations caused me to focus on what I felt and what I wanted in life.

 When I quit work and had a goodbye party, I thought to myself, “Instead of continuing this ugly and painful rat race, why don’t I do what I’ve been yearning for all this time?” “

Who is this workshop for?

  • For anyone who is YEARNING FOR MORE in life, you feel like there is something missing and you want a taste of what life CAN be like.
  • For anyone who has GIVEN UP on yourself, on your dreams, maybe even life itself.
  • For anyone who is thinking about STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS, but don’t know how to or have no idea what to do
  • For anyone who is THINKING ABOUT MAKING A MAJOR LIFE CHANGE– quitting your job, moving, traveling, volunteering overseas, writing a book, focusing on people in your life, whatever IT IS.

This is a workshop YOU DON”T WANT TO MISS-  Register NOW TO SAVE $10 before July 22- Choose You

I look forward to personally meeting you and help you write your own story, your own roadmap to the life YOU TRULY DESIRE.

How To Differentiate Your Business

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

How To Differentiate Your Business

I am really loving the Photofunia app on the Iphone, it creates pictures like these in seconds!

It has been awhile since I blogged, so I wanted to discuss DIFFERENTIATION in business. As you know, I am a Realtor that happens to have been in the Fashion Industry, Coaching Business and have done a plethora of things in my 25 short years.

How do you differentiate your BUSINESS?


1. BE authentic, BE yourself.

2. Know and Live Your Vision – This is a mission statement of what you want to be, achieve in life. What is the bigger picture, everyone has GOT to have 1!

Mine is to empower others to live the life they were created to live, so I live that throughout any careers or jobs that I ever had.

3. Get Away From Your Business to Gain Perspective– When you are stumped, sometimes you need to walk away from your problem in order to glean new perspective and solutions in a physically foreign location.

4. DON’T try to be like someone else! – Just because someone is doing something and they are succeeding DOES not mean that you are to do the exact same thing…people are different in work methods, learn to find your own pace and path.

5. Chase the PASSION, NOT the money– Chase your passion and you will grow in wealth, chase only the money, and you will fail because there is no passion to lead you.

6. Find a NICHE – If you are the GREAT niche, that is great…but REMEMBER one or two instance when you REALLY hit it off with that person. People who have similar commonalities tend to be YOUR target market. People who have personalities that meld well with yours might just be your target market. But you could totally target a market that is NOT like you, but loves to work with you because you SOLVE their problems.

In the end….simply BE authentic to your vision and humbly listen well to the needs and problems around you. Bite your tongue and tactfully tackle the problems with wisdom. That’s all for today!

http://www.twitter.com/rebekka_lien
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My instagram: rebekkalien

How To Look At Distractions

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

We Americans are taught to push, push, push until we have what we want.

Then, our lives get ROCKED. Hard. 

We feel bad in that moment, because we didn’t persevere or push on when we’re in the face of trauma. Perhaps we took a break from life and hid in our safe place. 

I believe that distractions, interferences, fights, hardship, sudden circumstances can be eye-openers to what we truly want, what we truly don’t want, and wake up calls.

These wake up calls can be:

+ A call to have fun and to relaxe, take a break, to laugh and not be so serious

+ A call to look at what has not been working & to try another method 

+ A call to examine self and not necessary the work project at hand

+ A call to be good to yourself and to love yourself 

 

Getting Lost Will Help You Find Yourself

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment
The word is: question mark?From the age of 18-23 I had my fair share of fun. I went to all the cool events with open bar, got drunk, got free food and free swag bags, dressed up, and felt like I was on top of the world. These days, the glamour has faded a little. I still love dressing up, and perhaps a part of me is waiting for the right thing to go to, yet, finding that everyone has their own life.Sometimes I can relate to Liz Lemon from 30Rock, eating my cheetos, drinking wine or choice beer and watching reruns for 5-6 hours. Of course, I’m packaging goods to mail out as I’m relaxing. Your image of businesswoman as a bachelorette.

The life looks like this, getting my eyebrows waxed, remembering to call a potential client, swerving to the curb to not get caught by police (phone and driving). Today, biking to and partly around Rose Bowl, pondering way too deeply about life and the meaning of it all. I can probably philosophize the meaning of life to death. After a regretted downhill, riding back up and shouting to myself “Don’t GIVE UP!” After an hour of biking and really feeling lightheaded, realizing that I really need to drink more water…

I suppose I’m not the only one.

The 20s are the greatest years, some say.

I have seem to already have done my fair share of traveling, I have lived in 3 different countries, traveled to a few continents, and danced at too many to count shows of dubstep, house, jazz, moshpits, 80s, indie, the glitz makes me want to throw up now. The fashion world is all fake teeth and smiles, gets old too quickly too.

I guess you can call it self-discovery.
Though it can get a little stressful, this whole self- discovery thing.

Perhaps I’m done waiting and wanting the next chapter to open up. Like I kind of want to meet more people that are more interesting, willing to take risks, are really against the norm of society…perhaps I’m done talking about the things that normal people can’t stop talking about (and seriously bore me to death). There’s a whole new world I am just anticipating to enter into. Perhaps I’m just too smart and intelligent, yet have not become an addict yet, and am trying to find a healthier alternative to stop my brain from overthinking.

It’s time for some new experiences, besides biking and discovering different bits of the city- I’m looking for some new adventures.

________________________________________________________________________________________
The following is a message I got from my close friend: I think that we all feel this at some point in our lives, whether it’s us not being true to ourselves, us not following our heart, us not listening to our true passion, or us suppressing the life that wants to live and be fully YOU.
“I get the feeling sometimes I’m living a lie. A feeling I’m holding back, suppressing, and knowingly ignoring something. Dis-easing…I am neglecting my divine purpose the way an inadequate mother chooses to abandon her child. My spirit soul is mourning, denouncing further catalytic deferment. Pleading for attention, it beckons my inner artist and creator to proclaim emancipation from any extension of prosaic jaded existence. Sadness, confusion, estrangement swirl in a muddled slurry of unsolicited discomforting fears. Something is seeking rest; seeking peace of mind, closure having thus been forsaken. I am artistically, creatively, purposefully deprived…constipated from lack of fibrous inspiration…and my entire body/essence knows it. I’m angry at myself yet outwardly annoyed by everything and inconsiderately rude. I get the feeling, often, that I am pathetically concerned with being misunderstood an rightfully anti-social. I get the feeling I couldn’t be anymore overdramatic…and for a split day I feel under the weather..until I remember, I’m not alone in feeling this way. I am not less different or less awesome than any other influential awesome misunderstood artist. I am on the verge of greatness 😛:P. I am surrounded by awesome like-hearted, mountain moving friends like you 🙂:)“
I am glad that I am called a mountain moving friend. I am so blessed to be a MOUNTAIN MOVER.
Another news is that, I felt in my spirit that my book needed some rest, that the more I was pushing, the less I was creating GREAT work. Sometimes like people, a book, a project needs space. 
Sometimes you need to get lost to find yourself.
I stare at this everyday now. It reminds me of 3 seasons:
1. CAGE STAGE– Being nurtured, structured, programmed, learning, in community and being in the cage to be fed and to rest.
2. BRANCH STAGE– a bird learns to observe her surrounding, starts walking, crawling towards their very fear or biggest challenges, it starts to be okay with itself, learns to accept SELF.
3. FLYING STAGE– a bird flies and soars, feeling utmost freedom, flourishing, creating and discovering.
Our lives are like cycles of returning to the cage, walking on the branch and flying. We need to realize that our lives are not always filled with successes, but sometimes we need to re-evaluate who we are, our goals, and rest when it’s time to nurture our souls.

How To Live Life One Step At A Time

On By Rebekka LienIn Uncategorized4 Comments

 

“Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.”-Samuel Johnson

 

The last entry was about stepping up, quit complaining, and stepping into the promise land.

This entry is about stepping into the dark.

Now what do I mean?

I mean: Sometimes you just need to put your feet forward in spite of not knowing whether a crocodile will bite your leg off.

Most likely, a crocodile will not appear and bite your leg off. That is probably the most horrible thing that could happen. Most likely you will fail.

The analogy comes from my experience teaching sewing and mandarin. I started teaching a few years ago at different studios, the one that gave me hours paid me very little, the one that did give me doable salary, had very little hours. Overall, I was tired of undercompensation.

It was in the darkness, in the storm, that my lightbulb went on. Craigslist was one of my saviors. He put me on a pedestal and showed me the true meaning of life.

Did I know if my first student would be creepy? No. I did not. Do I ever know if I’ll be safe, happy, secure, stable, wealthy. Nope.

I just jumped into the dark. Did I know everything I was teaching at first? No. To be honest, most of us don’t, we self- educate on things that school never taught us.

What did that first step get me? My second step. What did my second step get me? The third. So on and so forth. Why have I come so far in self- realization? I don’t know. I guess I just stepped forward even thought I had no idea whether my leg would still be attached.

I guess it would get really dark when the Isrealites were walking to the promise land. Maybe some got so scared of crocodiles and sinking sand, that some would rather cower, kneel down and cry. Some never made it because they were so scared. A hurricane probably hurled them into the ocean.

My point is, just take one step at a time. It will lead you to the next. Want to quit your job? Google 2 weeks notice, next step, copy and paste and input names and date, next step, print it and put it in an envelope. Want to get a date? Put your photo on eharmony, find a hottie and send a message. Want to make a better income? Make the changes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – take the steps and don’t think too much about how DIFFICULT it is.

Just do it.

 

The Promised Land

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

As you know the story of Isrealites trying to get to the promised land…well I feel that the last few days have been just that. My friend told me the story to encourage me.

He said, “you know how they had to go through Egypt and get to the promised land? Well, many elders never made it because even though God clothed, fed, and provided for them, they still complained…because it was taking forever and well, the journey was long”. We can complain, or we can trust God- he said. Some people will never get there because they keep complaining and never trust God.

“Sometimes we just need to shut up, let God take care of the people that bug us and trust that the promise is still there”.

Whatever you believe in, the universe, God, the forces will take you through to the promise land if we trust and focus on our promise.

As for the elements and people in our lives that hinder us from enjoying our life, shrug it off and trust. If we believe in our honesty, in what is true, then let the current take you.

Yes, let the flow of the river take you and focus on good.

For me, envisioning the times I traveled to various beautiful and heavenly locations in the world focused me on the beauty of life versus the negative circumstances. Why should you travel, because of this:

Me in Cairns, Australia. I was backpacking alone, had massive throw up sessions on the boat, but what do I remember? The oasis of the ocean, iridescent colors of fishes and ocean life; The ocean is my oasis.

When my body is embraced by the ocean, I only think of peace. Nothing else.

The Promise Land for me that month was the oasis of the ocean- the Great Barrier Reef. What it took for me to get there? I threw up about 5-6 times.

Other times? France – stranded and missed my airplane, slept in airport and didn’t shower for 4-5 days. Ecuador- saw the most amazing stingray snorkeling, got food poisoning and knew no spanish in hospital (got injected with what…I have no idea). China- feelings of culture shock, lived in a no AC apartment in 105 degrees heat, kept slipping and falling on my head stepping on rain puddles. I guess the list can go on a bit.

But last night, I thought about the good times. I thought about my promised land, the oasis, the quietness of the ocean, stillness, peace. This is what I thought about.

Watch this without sound:

“Don’t Ask What The World Needs. Ask What Makes You Come Alive…”

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

I have quoted him many times, ask not what the world needs, ask what makes YOU come alive…Yes, it’s true.

I suppose many of us have been working for our breakthrough, that breakthrough just seems so difficult. All you need is that one final push, and the baby is out. Yes, the baby is out people! The dream is coming alive, and all you need to do is …………..to DO IT.

Do it without fear of what people may think. That’s why, after attending the California Women’s Conference, I finally did it. I finally compiled my email list, created a video in less than 5 minutes, did the hard work of pushing…

Here’s my video, it’s not perfect, just bold. I just want you to see what I’m really like, without the BS, without the fakeness of reading words, writing words, just me. It’s time to shine and give what the world has been waiting for: me.

You can pre-order my book and receive VIP membership for only $14.99- https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=Y5CE…

The E-book will be released before Christmas. FREE MEMBERSHIP to VIP club with all pre-orders. This includes: weekly emails with practical entrepreneur tips, tips on increasing clientale, life lessons, positive uplifters, etc. Exclusive to members!

Why Take The Difficult Path For What You Want

On By Rebekka LienIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Now, I’m starting to see why this year had to happen. Nothing seems to phase me now. I’m surrounded by nature, hummingbirds, sun, I have my own yard, I live alone. I have personal space.

Every adversity is a stepping stone to who you want to be. And what you want.

Guess what? They are not stumbling blocks or even obstacles to your dreams. The adversities, the discouragements are only stepping stones. You step on them to get to the next stair steps. When you feel discouraged, you focus on your goal, you focus on the goodness of life.

I did not want to sit on my butt for 8 hours aday, so I had to create something mobile. I had to quit, I traveled, I saw the world, I started selling jewelry and clothes. After going to South America, I was stumped again. I was broke again, I had to reinvent the wheel. I started posting my private lessons on Craigslist, I started building my clientale. I started to hone my skills, now I teach sewing, mandarin, piano…

The great thing about being a creative entrepreneur, 2 days I can be on the road teaching. Today, I get to wake up and sit in nature, work on my online business, and write. Tonight, my friend and I are hosting our first meeting of Fashion Shares, a community of women for the purpose of empowering each other!

Question of the Day: How do you find out what you want to do in life?

Answer: You don’t, you live and learn. You try and learn from mistakes, but you can always have a big vision. For me, I always wanted to empower people, so I delved into things that allowed me to be with people. I also love managing my own time, and I didn’t know this until someone else started managing my time. That’s when I knew I couldn’t continue being controlled. There are very strategic ways to weed out options- if you have questions comment below! 🙂

Remember: The difficult path IS messy, you will cry many times, you will be frustrated even more, but the pay off is….after the messiness of trying things out, figuring out what works and what doesn’t, you’ll come out of it wiser and you’ll know MORE of what you’re good at and want to do.

Stopping To Breathe

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Stopping to breathe, perhaps it is the most important thing we can do during our day.

When we lose track, when we lose hope, when we feel exhausted with our own thoughts. When we need a break from the voices that seek to tear our relationships apart.

Breathe. And feel yourself be present. May I feel peace, now. My I feel peace because I live in the now, not in the future where I’m anxious, not in the past, where I am depressed. I only know that I am present, when I feel myself inhale and exhale.

When I can watch the tide come in and let myself be washed, clean and feel the purity of the wind.

I love this video, reminds us that the most important thing in our lives is “time and relationships”.

As I’m heading to Norcal tomorrow- I’ve written a list, may you find your own list as you breathe.

Things to Be and Do In Norcal-
1. Relaxe, like crazy. Relaxe like I have never relaxed in my life.
2. Unplug. Do this in a crazy way too. Only bring notebook, ipod, phone and pen.
3. Read. Read and study, study everything I’m teaching (Mandarin, sewing, art, music even, read books about how to teach these subjects).
4. Sell art, jewelry, accessories from my portable store.
5. Relaxe, again….
6. Write, a lot. Write in my journal, write like facebook never existed. Finish my book, if it is possible….that would be freaken amazing!!!
7. Celebrate my year of self-employment. Reward myself, say and write to myself everything I could have imagined a boss saying to me. “OMG, Rebekka you are so amazing, these are the things you accomplished even though you were broke! Now, you’ve really found yourself eh?”
8. Take control of my finances. Like for real. Stop buying coffee…make my own delicious and cheaply!
9. Be adventurous and have fun, like a young 24 year old should. Pretend I’m 21 and I never had to go through the stress of being an entrepreneur.
10. Breathe like never before.