Tiffany Eckhardt

This year could not have been planned…my focus board and goal setting were useless! All I can say is that God has blessed me. In letting go I gained much more than expected.

On January 17th I launched DoingLifeBeingTiff. I was desperately seeking purpose in “to be or not to be”. Over the course of the year I shared with you this crazy journey in true Tiff style…transparently.

At the beginning of the year I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s Eat Pray Love. Jeff and I took a trip to Chicago in March to hear Gilbert speak.  I love her take on the creativity mystery. Fearing she would never write another book that anyone would care about after Eat Pray Love , she had a revelation. Creativity comes to you, not by forced effort, but by a collaboration with a spiritual force.  (I prefer to acknowledge God as my force.)  People often question: “Should I be afraid that I will never amount to my potential?”  and “Is my best work behind me?”  No…we are not the center of the universe.  Our “work” doesn’t come from us.  We should, however,  show up and dance what ever dance we feel compelled to dance.  OOH…I LOVE THAT!

This concept inspired me to hit the road and embrace adventure. I was hoping to “find” Tiff.  Riding the Harley with Jeff  allowed me to escape into my alter ego…bad ass Tiff. I also had some great travel adventures on trips to Texas, Memphis, Mississippi, and New Orleans. @SoulTravelers3 convinced me that I could afford travel by letting go of stuff. So…I sold my car to pay for a month long trip to Costa Rica.  I learned to be independent and adventurous on this trip, but was disappointed that I did not receive a divine revelation or direction for my future.  UUGH.

One of the biggest highlights this year was the people I met and the people I reconnected with.  Thanks to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and blogging, I now have some amazing new friends.  I have been so inspired by their journeys.   I am struck by the way people are brought together to collaborate on projects.  Just like Julie in the movie  Julie and Julia, careers have risen out of the social media phenomenon.  Just another confirmation to me that I should ”put myself out there” (as Jeff and I refer to it) and allow the networks to collaborate, so to speak.

At the beginning of the year I began to  follow a great kindred spirit, Freda Mooncotch.  I have had a great year following her journey of healing and “slowing down to the speed of life” as she puts it.  I even had the opportunity to meet with her on my trip to Chicago.  I’ve learned so much about the power of our thought life through her journey.  She is another great example of allowing life to take shape and not allowing insecurities to derail your journey.  Thanks Freda for being so transparent!

After almost a whole year of trying to figure out what I am supposed to “do”, I had a job land in my lap.  A colleague and friend from my real estate days contacted me for an inside sales position.  I am so grateful to have a job in our current economy and plan on saving lots of money for my passion…you guessed it travel. 

As if topping on the cake, I can say that the BIGGEST blessing this year was a reconnecting with family.  Thanks to social media I am more connected with my parents.  (Funny, but true)  My parents and I joined Tastecasting this year and have seen each other more than ever!  Today I even became “friends” with my father-in-law on Facebook.  Got to love that! 

Change was a big theme of 2009.  I guess the biggest change came from the inside out.  I am so grateful and blessed.  I truly believe that God has a plan for me…that I don’t need to micro-manage.  So, I don’t plan on setting goals this year or “work” at finding myself…just hope to collaborate and dance with the creator!

admin Promoting My favorite places Tiffany Eckhardt