The Power of Saying Yes: Unexpected Blessings

This podcast is a sanctuary for the curious , the ambitious and the introspective . It's for those of you who , like me , are captivated by the champion mindset and driven by an insatiable hunger for growth and knowledge .

Whether you're just beginning your journey or you're well along your path , you're going to find stories here that resonate with your experiences and aspirations . Over the last two years , we've shared countless stories of triumph and challenge , of resilience and transformation . We've laughed , we've reflected and we've grown together .

And as we've evolved , so too has this podcast . Remember , no matter what chapter you're on in your own story , you belong here . This community we've built together is a place of support , inspiration and shared growth . Where intention goes , energy flows , and the energy you bring to this space elevates us all .

So , whether you're listening while commuting , working out or enjoying your morning coffee , perhaps from one of those motivational mugs I'm so fond of , know that you're a part of something special . Thank you for being here . Thank you for your curiosity , your openness and your commitment to personal growth .

As we embark on year three , I invite you to lean in , to listen deeply and to let these stories resonate with your soul . I believe that a rising tide raises all ships , and I invite you along in this journey to evoke greatness . Welcome back to another episode of Evoke Greatness .

You guys know I am all about sharing perspective and insights that come out of experiences , and I wanted to share something with you that I experienced on a trip recently that unexpectedly added so much value to my faith and my sense of connection and community , and I hope this story inspires you to take some sort of action on something that you might have been

hesitating on . Think about the time that you have stood at the edge of your comfort zone , right , heart racing , wondering like , oh , should I really step into this uncomfortable space ? Well , that was me . Recently , I had received an invitation that had me both excited and nervous . It was a retreat in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with 11 women .

I had never met in person these people . Well , some of them were only LinkedIn connections , right , but there's still that sense of apprehension and that sense of nervousness . So picture this a magnificent cabin when I say that with such emphasis so you get the picture .

This was an amazing , gigantic cabin , perched high in the Smoky Mountains , surrounded by mist-covered peaks , like it was next level amazing . And inside there are 11 women . All of us complete well , maybe not everybody complete strangers , but most of us strangers at first . Gathered together , we're , you know , each carrying our own things .

As we come into this cabin , as we come into this experience and I remember standing on the porch that first evening , breathing in that crisp mountain air , feeling a little uncertain but completely open for what this weekend had in store for me . Over the next few days , something magical happened .

We hiked together , we laughed together , we got the experience of seeing a bear out front of our cabin and being in such awe of all of these wonders that the mountains held . We played games and sang karaoke late into the night . We shared stories we'd never voiced before . But it wasn't all about the fun . There was a lot of power .

In the quiet moments , in those moments where we opened our hearts to each other , I found myself sharing things that I hadn't shared before and instead of judgment , we were all met with understanding and support and compassion and kindness . We prayed together and our voices rising and falling like a symphony of hope and faith and perseverance .

And one night , as we were all sitting around a fire , I realized something really profound— these women who had been strangers just days before now felt like sisters , and in their eyes I saw reflections of my own journey , my own challenges , my own joy , my own fears and worries . We all deeply resonated with one another .

While we were there , we had the opportunity to attend the Women of Joy Conference and we heard some amazing speakers . We got to attend a Toby Mack concert . But let me tell you something there were 8,000 women of faith under one roof at this conference that we went to as a group .

And let me tell you , when God gets that many women together praising and worshiping in His name , when God gets that many women together praising and worshiping in His name , mountains are moved and miracles happen . And at the heart of it all was our incredible host , cindy Cohn . Let me tell you about Cindy For those of you who don't know .

This woman followed a nudge from God to create these retreats , and her obedience has created a ripple effect that has touched so many lives , including mine . Cindy , if you're listening , thank you for saying yes . Thank you for saying yes to that divine whisper , to that godly nudge . Now I want to speak directly to you .

Yes , you , maybe you too , are at the crossroads right now . Maybe you're feeling stuck or lonely , or just in need of something , something more . I want you to know that sometimes the greatest blessings , they come wrapped in packages of uncertainty . Remember , at the beginning of this , I contemplated whether or not to even come to this retreat .

I almost let fear win , but by saying yes , I found a piece of myself I didn't even know was missing . There's a verse in the Bible , and it's Luke 6 , verse 31 . And it says Do unto others as you would have them do unto you , and at this retreat I experienced the profound truth of these words .

These women poured into me their time , their wisdom , their love in a way that absolutely filled my soul to overflowing . So the next time you are invited to do something completely out of your comfort zone , think about saying yes Again .

Here I was traveling across the country to hang with a group of women I had never personally met from LinkedIn , but this opportunity came at exactly the right time . It was the exact time that my soul needed it .

I am in a season of ascension in my life , and it was so refreshing and so restorative , and I can only hope that I poured into these other women in the same way that they poured into me , and I cannot wait for the next retreat that Cindy puts on . This is what life is all about , isn't it ?

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you A simple scripture , but a profound impact in this world . Let's start pouring into others in the same way that we want to be poured into , in the same way we need to be poured into . We each have the opportunity to make the world a better place if we act on this .

So here's my challenge to you the next time an opportunity comes knocking , especially one that scares you a little , lean into it , say yes , whether it's a retreat or a new class or just reaching out to someone new . Take the step , you'll see . We're all on this journey together .

When we open up ourselves to new experiences and connections , we don't just change our own lives . We create those ripples that can change other people , that can change the world . I went to those mountains as one person . I came back another , stronger , more connected , more alive , and now I'm passing that spark onto you . More connected , more alive .

And now I'm passing that spark onto you . You have the choice as to whether or not you want to take it . Will you let that spark ignite something beautiful in your life ? Only you can be the one to answer that . Remember your greatness might be waiting just outside your comfort zone . Question is are you ready to step out and find it ?

Thank you so much for listening and for being here on this journey with me . I hope you'll stick around

. If you liked this episode . It would mean the world for me if you would rate and review the podcast or share it with someone you know . Many need to hear this message . I love to hear from you all and want you to know that you can leave me a voicemail directly .

If you go to my website , evokegreatnesscom , and go to the contact me tab , you'll just hit the big old orange button and record your message . I love the feedback and comments that I've been getting , so please keep them coming . I'll leave you with the wise words of author Robin Sharma Greatness comes by doing a few small and smart things each and every day .

It comes from taking little steps consistently . It comes from making a few small chips against everything in your professional and personal life that is ordinary , so that a day eventually arrives when all that's left is the extraordinary .