When I started school, I was confronted by the realization that my name, Marcelle, was unusual for the English-speaking majority population of our little Canadian town. We were part of a small and close-knit French community, which was regularly immersed in the language and culture of the Anglophone majority, as well as the nearby influences of the United States just across the border.
"Marcelle, that's a boy's name," the kids in the schoolyard would often tease. As for any child, this kind of mockery really hurt. I remember coming home one day with tears streaming down my face. As I walked through the door, I exclaimed to my mother: "Mom, why did you give me such a name?"
The Story Behind the Name
My mother calmly responded by recounting the story of how my name was decided upon. Prior to having me, she had a miscarriage. While in the hospital, she was very lonely, as my father could only visit in the evening when he returned from work.
My mother could not talk with the nursing staff because she could only speak French, and they spoke English. Fortunately, she found solace with a very sweet fifteen-year-old French girl who had had her appendix removed. The girl's name was Marcelle. In appreciation for Marcelle's daily visits, my mother promised her that the next child she would have, boy or girl, would bear her name.
Upon hearing this story, a significant shift occurred within me. My name was the fruit of the love and caring consideration of a young fifteen-year old girl. Now that was special!
So what was I to do the next time someone at school or elsewhere mocked or questioned my name? I carefully considered my options as I vowed that my name must no longer be the target of ridicule but be recognized for its true value and worth!
Stop & Reverse: Making the Best of a Bad Situation
The next time my name became the subject of scrutiny, in a joking manner I announced: "Well, you must understand, I am from the planet Mars; so that's where my name comes from." Much to my surprise, the response was quite favorable! People laughed and joked back with me. Some of them even started to joyfully greet me using such names as "Mars Bar" in a show of acceptance and acknowledgment of my uniqueness.
Wow! What a discovery I had made. By shifting my response, I had created a whole new realm of possibility. Right then and there, a new life emerged, and, over the years, the stories I told of my Martian origins continued to be told and to evolve. To this day, it still strikes a positive chord with the people I meet.
It's Time to Stop, Reverse, & Celebrate
What was it about what I did that essentially changed everything? The answer to that question lies within a thought-, action-, and result-shifting process that I refer to as Stop, Reverse, and Celebrate (SRC)!
Think back to a time in your life when you felt like "the odd man out" or when things really weren't going your way. Do similar feelings of "alienation" or frustration haunt you today?
The good news is that there is a way to completely redefine those experiences. A way to reconnect with the irrefutable truth that shouts out: "You are beautiful!" Your unique make-up and experiences have shaped you into the person that you are meant to be and continue to become. In fact, you have much to offer this world, just as you are, at any given moment in your life.
When past or present experiences elicit feelings that are not in alignment with who you really are and where you wish to be in your life, here are three simple steps, with accompanying questions, that will help you reconnect with the irrefutable truth that you are beautiful and perfect exactly the way you are:
- Stop (S): What am I feeling? What triggered those feelings? What learning can I draw from this?
- Reverse (R): Is this really about me? Instead, what do I choose to believe about myself? What am I grateful for? What do I wish to create more of in my life starting now? What can I think, feel, and do differently to produce better results?
- Celebrate (C): How can I validate and celebrate with concrete actions the truth that has just been revealed by these questions and answers?
Make a commitment now to connect with your beautiful self by drawing upon the SRC-shifting process every day. By stepping into it with both feet, you will be able to positively shift your responses to seemingly negative experiences and realize that you are beautiful and perfect exactly as you are. Your destiny awaits you with the richness and fullness of all the colors of the rainbow!
Article Source
Pearls of Wisdom: 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live your Best Life Now!
by Jack Canfield, Marci Shimoff, and many more.
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About the Author
MARCELLE CHARROIS is a heart intelligence coach, and as such, she draws upon her wide-ranging background and experience with yoga, meditation, metaphysics, and natural healing practices to help people create their best life today! Her first book, The Alien in Your Closet: Open the Door to Your Inner Child and Unleash Your True Destiny!, empowers people to reconnect with their intuitive instincts, true identity, and passion while actively reversing the undesirable effects of social conditioning. For more information, please visit www.True2HeartLiving.com.
