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Trust, Intuition, Listen, Become Gutsy and Change

July 17, 2014 by Sonia Marsh 7 Comments

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future and past

 

There are certain times in life when you are ready to make a change. It doesn’t matter what that change is, but in order to make that change, you need to:

“Stop hanging onto something that keeps you in your comfort zone.”  —Larry Jacobson 

  • Are you ready for a CHANGE?
  • Are you scared?
  • Can you visualize what that change would look like?
  • Do you trust your intuition?
  • Are you ready to become Gutsy?

 

Gutsy Living ™

is about taking risks in life, and making bold decisions and if I can’t do that, how can I write about it, and expect others to be courageous and follow their dreams?

So what’s my change? I have many going on right now, including:

  • Selling our House
  • Looking for a wonderful job to supplement my income as a writer
  • Applying for the Peace Corps which I’ve been wanting to do for many years before my sons get married and I have grandkids
  • Write another memoir based on experiences in different cultures
  • Interview and share stories of people I meet during my future Peace Corps work (country unknown as of now.)
  • Keep blogging, coaching and publishing the “My Gutsy Story®” Anthology

What fascinates me about the Peace Corps?

  • It’s about the people and experiencing different cultures
  • New adventures
  • Meeting people who know how to be happy with their simple life
  • Learning to listen to others
  • Stop focusing on my own wants and needs (something we excel at in the developed world)
  • Learning to live in the present moment
  • Appreciating what we take for granted in the western world.

One of the important lessons I learned from my family’s year in Belize, was to not impose our American ways on the locals. Unfortunately, I was too hasty in my desire  to start a business in Belize. I made the mistake of assuming that creating a business the American way, would guarantee success. That hard work, honesty and dedication were the core principles and that we would be successful. Little did I know about the importance of taking the time to trust, and earn the trust of the locals. I did not listen to the advice given by our fellow expats about “getting to know the locals first, and  that this could take two years or more.”

This was a life lesson I shall remember to take with me on my future Peace Corps assignment. I have read several stories written by Peace Corps volunteers, and they share how they made the mistake of trying to change things before the locals trusted them. One PCV in Morocco said he finally understood the importance of drinking sweet tea with the locals before they had any desire to listen to him teach a basic computer class.

Unfortunately, many westerners believe our way is the right way, and everyone should do it our way. We need to adapt to their ways, not the other way round.

My friend, Janet Givens, is publishing her memoir: At Home on the Kazakh Steppe, about her Peace Corps experience in Kazakhstan.  She interviewed a fellow memoir writer and author friend,Ian Mathie , who guest posts about his 30 years in Africa, and the ten lessons he has learned. (You can read his fascinating stories on Janet’s blog here.)

“Africa thrives on proverbs. The first I ever learned has lasted me a lifetime and proved itself time and time again. So I’ll offer it to you now: 

Kila ndege hurukwa kwa bawa lake –

Every bird must fly on its own wings. Think about it, and then stretch out your own wings.”–Ian Mathie

The lessons:

  1. Look and listen more than talk
  2. Exploit people’s desires
  3. Let people choose; then they won’t give up
  4. Put ideas in contexts people understand and value
  5. Learn the system and get involved
  6. Use the local talent (including the sorcerers!)
  7. Choose your timing carefully
  8. Always be open, friendly, and co-operative
  9. Let people fly on their own wings
  10. Always be positive and avoid “don’ts”

 I’ve highlighted the 5 that I shall keep in my mind so as to avoid the mistakes I made in Belize.

And most important of all:

Are you ready to fly?

Every bird must fly on its own wings. Think about it, and then stretch out your own wings.


 

NOW Accepting story submissions now for our Award-winning “My Gutsy Story®” Anthology

 READ MORE HERE

MGS FINAL COVER Small

 We just won our 4th Award for the Anthology. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT ABOUT OUR AWARDS.

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Filed Under: Inspirational, motivational, People, Travel & Adventure

Comments

  1. Janet Givens says

    July 18, 2014 at 7:48 am

    Sonia, you’ve learned some valuable lessons, ones that will serve you in many places and situations. Best wishes on all these pending changes. I have a house on the market too, but I’m not very encouraged. Keep me posted on your journey. And thank you for the nod in my direction, and link to my website. August 1 us mg new launch date.
    Janet Givens recently posted..The Richness of Cross Cultural Experience – Ten Lessons One LearnsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      July 20, 2014 at 6:11 am

      Janet,

      I’m excited to read your book about your Peace Corps experience. I wish you all the best with your house on the market and your book launch on August 1st.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted.. Trust, Intuition, Listen, Become Gutsy and Change My Profile

      Reply
  2. Lady Fi says

    July 18, 2014 at 8:09 am

    How exciting! Will Duke be doing Peace Corps with you? I did the British equivalent of Peace Corps after university and spent three years teaching English in China.
    Lady Fi recently posted..SunburstMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      July 20, 2014 at 6:13 am

      Lady Fi,

      I’m the one who is very interested in the Peace Corps and Duke wants to investigate it in more detail.
      Sonia Marsh recently posted.. Trust, Intuition, Listen, Become Gutsy and Change My Profile

      Reply
  3. sharon leaf says

    July 18, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    I wish you the very best in your new endeavors…and much luck in selling your house. Been there. Done that. So this means that you will be traveling with the Peace Corps in the near future. How exciting. And challenging. But you are up to it because: YOU are a GUTSY LADY!

    Reply
    • Sonia Marsh says

      July 20, 2014 at 6:15 am

      Sharon,

      I met some returning Peace Corps volunteers last Friday and it was fascinating to learn more from them about their experiences in Nepal, Korea, Belize!
      Sonia Marsh recently posted.. Trust, Intuition, Listen, Become Gutsy and Change My Profile

      Reply
  4. Anitra says

    December 20, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Thanks to my father who told me concerning this blog, this webpage is actually amazing.
    Anitra recently posted..AnitraMy Profile

    Reply

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