Go the Way of the Black Door!

You know when something really impacts you and you need to share it with the world? The Black Door is such a story… Lyndon recently posted it on our Create the Life Club blog, and then today I was asked to re-write from my perspective – which is a little different as I want to bust through the black doors in life!!

I have grown up with a Dad who pushes himself, and me, out of the comfort zone constantly – so I know what it is to feel fear, and (fortunately) have discovered the delight on the other side. When I came across the story of the Black Door, I realised that this is what we do, and must challenge ourselves to do. My darling husband however, is less inclined to take a leap into the unknown. (There is hope though – he is a skydiver…)

Lyndon was working in a job that he enjoyed, but was exhausted and “not being there to see our son grow up”. He was so impacted by the story of The Black Door, and “bit the bullet”, resigning and leaping into the unknown to spend time with the family, and support me to grow my new business.

Was it a wise move financially? Not in the short term, that’s for sure… But he says “I wish I had done it sooner, because money cannot buy what I gained.”

Here is the story that impacted us so powerfully…

There is a story of a black door, a young man and a Persian general.

The young man, it is said, was a prisoner of war, and the general was a very fair man. When the day arrived to decide the fate of the prisoner, the general had him brought before him. The young man was certain of death, but the general generously gave him two choices. On the young man’s left was a firing squad, guns poised ready. On the right was a plain white wall with a large black door in the middle of it. The young man was given leave to determine his fate…the firing squad or the black door.

The young man made his choice and in a short while a volley of shots rang out and the prisoner crumpled to the ground. The general shook his head and commented to his aide that in all his years he had seen only a few men choose the black door. May I ask, sir, the aide queried … what lies beyond the black door? Freedom, the general replied. The black door leads to freedom, but I have seen only a few men choose it because they are afraid of what horrors may lie beyond. Most would rather choose a fate that they know, even if it means death, than experience the unknown. The man brave enough to choose the black door deserves to be free.

Today, in the world of business, change is constant, and those afraid to experience change are in a precarious position. Trends in business are changing, and business and career choices once thought to be safe and stable are no longer so. The advice our parents gave us – to go to university, get a good education and get a good job with a company who would take care of us for the rest of out lives – is no longer true. Company restructuring, downsizing and retrenchments have caused abrupt changes inadequate to take care of a family’s needs. And yet, there are choices to be made, and those brave enough to make them will survive the economic crunch

Are you ready to choose The Black Door??

To view the blog by Lyndon that this was taken from click The Black Door.

I’m Ridiculously Rich!

Me and My Grandparents

Last Monday I arrived in Sydney and stayed with my Grandparents (mum’s parents). You may have seen the video Lyndon posted on You Tube, with my Dad’s parents being interviewed by Ethan… I shared this with my Sydney Grandparents who absolutely loved it and were overflowing with praise for Lyndon (movie-maker) and Ethan, who they’re so proud of.

I went to bed that night so aware of the wonderful relationships in my life, my four grandparents, the brothers and cousins I share them with, my wonderful parents, my husband, his lovely family, my extended family and so many friends, in 15 different countries, and some fortunately 5 or 10 mins walk or drive away!

Ridiculously rich? Yep! That’s how I feel when I reflect on the relationships in my life. Some of these relationships have been in place for a long time and I can’t take any credit.

When my Grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding Anniversary’s a few years ago, one couple was asked for the Photo News “What’s the key to a good relationship?” and their response was “communication”. The others were asked, “How did you manage that?” (60 years married) to which Grandma responded, “Well I think when they came home from the war, he didn’t want any more fighting” .

I don’t like fighting either, so I’ve always avoided it. I have discovered however, that relationships need fighting for, at times. No more sweeping things under the carpet, which will only trip you up (literally!) but having an loving, purposeful, honest conversation takes the relationship from good to great. The Book of Proverbs puts it this way “an honest answer is like a kiss on the lips” Oooh! Bring it on!

Have a wonderful day,
Love Kerrie

If you want to share the journey to becoming ridiculously rich in all areas of your life, discover more at Create the Life Club.com. Click the banner below Now.

Family, Friends and Fun

Back from another trip (this is getting ridiculous – we’re averaging every second weekend away)…  It was the big weekend with family for Grandads 90th, and the arrival of Nuy and her family from Bangkok.  I see my Grandparents in Sydney quite regularly, but my cousins are scattered all over the east coast of Australia, so getting everyone (almost) together is pretty special.  I adore my cousins and have special memories of our childhood.  So much has changed in our lives, but the bond of family keeps us connected, even if it’s been a while since our last conversations.

We bought a fabulous digital camera on Saturday so we could capture some family moments as well as all those other random moments when you wish you had a camera.  We’ll be learning to post photo’s and videos on our website, which I’m really looking forward to.  YouTube here we come!  What a great way of connecting and sharing news.

Entertaining friends from Thailand has been so much fun and a chance to see things from a different perspective.  Everywhere we went was a great photo opportunity – we had over 300 photos on our new camera over the two days.  We stopped at Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, rode the Scenic Railway and Cable Car, then home via Orange, where we took photo’s under the gorgeous autumn leaves.
We arrived home to dinner with James Hall & Hannah Welch, who were part of the second team I took to Bangkok, (December 2002).  Nuy was delighted to see them and it was fantastic to reminisce about our time in Thailand.

The next day we visited Dubbo Zoo, (we’ve never spent so long in the Australian section!) then on to Dad & Mum’s farm, via The Burrells farm… to experience sheep shearing, tractor driving, get up close & personal with horses, cows and countless other animals, not generally seen in Thailand.  Of course a farm trip is not complete without Dad’s special BBQ and dinner under the stars, a little cold, but absolutely worthwhile.

Thank you for coming to visit with your beautiful family Nuy!!!

I’m Thankful…

First of all – I’m thankful for each person reading this – I hope you find it well worth the time and see more things in your world you are thankful for.  What a great focus to end the year with!  (The impact – besides feeling great – is that you’re in a fantastic space to think big when it comes to considering possibilities and goals for 2008)

I’m thankful for another big year coming to a close, with much to celebrate…  I have just spent the afternoon with some of my family – including my 4 Grandparents.  I’m 34 years old and still have my 4 grandparents to share some of the joys of life with – including my gorgeous 7 year old son Ethan. They are an incredible example to us all as both couples have celebrated their 63rd Wedding Anniversaries this year and say that communication is the key… it’s the key to anything relational isn’t it?!  Ok, back to thankfulness… what a year! I’ve travelled to Sydney (countless times and all good), Brisbane, Melbourne & Singapore, plus a few road trips around the region for various speaking/coaching events.  I’m so grateful for the people I’ve met, the confidence I’ve stepped into, the clients I’ve had the honour to work with – each one overcoming obstacles and achieving significant goals, changing their lives.  I’m thankful for the training I’ve completed, the inspiring colleagues I’m delighted to work with, the incredible friendships with passionate, purposeful difference-makers.  I am so blessed.  Many new friendships to treasure and established ones which grow more lovely and valuable each year.  On this note I must write of my incredible husband who I love more dearly as we continue our journey – it’s so much better than ever before!  We celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary in June amongst other celebrations.  Lyndon has been quite the student this year, first in bookkeeping,  followed by intense study to complete his parachute instructor rating, along with my dad – they both passed with flying colours.  I’m so thankful for Lyndon’s role in my/our business – I couldn’t do it so well without him (and all his fabulous, organised bookkeeping and admin)!!   We are also celebrating the completion of 3 years of KL Coaching Solutions and have changed the business to Kerrie Phipps Coaching & Development.

Another major blessing has been our recent move – to a beautiful house on the edge of town, perfect for entertaining and quiet family time.  My office is now in another building on the property, so we’re loving home being home with no sign of paperwork or business bits and pieces.  We’re so grateful for this home and the awesome friends who’ve entrusted it to us.  We are also thankful that our two previous homes are well tenanted and increasing in value - giving us the opportunity to further invest.  We have a bright future – much to anticipate, celebrate and learn along the way.

Finally, I am thankful for Christmas and forever grateful that God chose to step into our world and change us for eternity.  Have a wonderful, loving Christmas and be kind to yourself and those in your world.  Love & Blessings, Kerrie