You Didn't Miss It - the Door is Open...

 Come on in, the door is open... take a look inside...

A couple days ago my sister and I got a tour of our old home place when we were children. The walk down memory lane was very interesting!  I thought about how it looked when we lived there and took note of the upgrades. 

Back in the day, I thought it was a pretty nice house! Dad had a new basement put in so we moved the original house a short distance and then he bought a kitchen from the neighbors and added that on. We redid a lot of the walls with sheet rock, paint, and paneling. I thought the grey paneling in my bedroom was so cool. (That room has not been updated and I loved seeing it again!) The church down the road was upgrading their carpets, so we got some remnants to use in the bedrooms. The living room had a beautiful, brown, shag carpet. We had a new 2-car garage built and that was our bedroom for a time while the house was in the remodeling stages. I thought it was cool to sleep in the garage! The outside of the house was painted a lovely, pale green.

But now, the front door goes into the dining room instead of the living room (see picture above). They tore out some walls to enlarge the kitchen. The basement stairs go down from the kitchen, instead of just inside the garage. They tore out one old bathroom and put in a new one more centrally located. The stairs going up have a beautiful banister. The basement has been finished out with a large family room, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom. They put in central heat and air! (Back in my day we had fans, or we hung out in the unfinished basement.) This is just a glimpse of some of the changes. Walking through the house that day I wondered what it would have been like to live there with all the updates.  

This is a picture of my life. There have been many things that have happened through the years, some very beautiful, some not so great. At times I think I just missed it. It was just within my grasp, but it slipped away. Someone else got what I wanted. But I'm learning how to go back for me. If you would've shown me this picture of the door, I would've had no idea that something so beautiful came out of my childhood home. In spite of everything I've been through, there is beauty for me today. And there is beauty for you, as well! You didn't miss it!

P.S. If you're afraid there isn't beauty inside, I'd love to walk through that door with you and prove you wrong! Check out previous posts to learn more about Polly Marie Consulting and email me at pollymarie2003@gmail to book your session. 

Far or Near I'm Here for You

Polly Marie Consulting - Free to Be, Just Me 

I don't have a website just yet, so here is what I'm currently offering for one hour consulting sessions. 

Free 15-minute consultation (if you aren't familiar with The Compassion Method and want a snapshot of how it works).

Buy one, get one free! ($60 total)

One hour session at half price - just $30! (Regular $60) For a limited time only!

Or try a package deal - 6)1 hour sessions for only $150.

Sessions are online or in-person, so distance isn't an issue!

Feel free to contact me at: pollymarie2003@gmail.com. 

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It's so fun to walk with people on this journey of discovering their true self. What you do matters, but you matter more. What you do is not who you are. You are worthy of love, no matter what!

The Story of Two Cars

 Many years ago, in 2008 to be exact, I was looking for a car. I had just moved back from OH and was also looking for a job. One day I got a job and the next day I went out and bought a car. A 2004 Chevy Impala. It was much newer and shinier back then! 

I've never been really fond of car shopping and in those days I didn't really have anyone to go with me. So I went out by my lonesome. I drove around to the dealerships in Hutch, not knowing what I was looking for. I hadn't done any research, but when I saw this one I liked it! (I am partial to certain colors and styles.) I took it for a spin and drove it by my mechanic to have him look it over. Everything checked out and that night I went home with a new car! I was elated, to say the least!

It has served me well, over all, aside from a pesky starter issue that haunted me for years and didn't seem to have any resolution. And, after 17 years with 225,000 miles, I decided it might be time to start the search for a new one. Unfortunately, this search did not go quickly like the last one. In fact, I would say it started a couple years ago with varying degrees of persistence. 

That new car seemed quite elusive! I talked with different people, had a guy looking for me, prayed long and hard, did research, asked friends to pray, all to no avail, it seemed. And I worried, and worried some more. What if my car gives out before I find another one? What if it leaves me set? What if I have to put a lot more money into it?

Then one day I was directed to ask another friend to help me in my search. He was delighted to help me out and went at it with a vengeance. He found one in Olathe that seemed like a good option but was above my price range. He worked with the salesman to bring the price down. At last it was at a price I was willing to pay, but still I wasn't sure about driving 3 hours by myself to get it. So I said I'm not interested. 

However, a week later as I was praying about this car issue I felt like I was to reach back out and see if this car was still available. It was! I wanted to go that day, but had to arrange to get off work and that didn't happen till 2 days later. Would the car still be there?? I felt strongly that if it was for me, it would be, but, oh the suspense in the meantime!

The night before I was scheduled to go I talked with the salesman and he said it was still available. Half an hour later he texted me and said someone else was interested and they were taking it home overnight and would decide in the morning. The next morning he texted me and said their financing didn't go through so it was still fair game!

A coworker offered to go with me and we took off with high hopes. I let him take the wheel and settled back to enjoy the ride. The 3-hour drive was spent in friendly chatter as the miles melted away behind us. Before I knew it we were pulling in to the dealership. It was love at first sight! We took it for a spin, sealed the deal, and that night I drove it home - smiling all the way! A 2022 Toyota Camry!

And those are my "God" stories of my 2 cars! They are very different and yet so good. God likes to work with processes. I don't always understand the way He works, but I can be confident He is working whether it takes one day or years. 

I really liked my first car and loved that I found it in one day, but there is something about the long process of finding this one, that made me feel really, really loved and cared for when it did come. 

So don't despair. Keep trusting the process! It may not look like you think, but in the end it will be much better than you ever imagined!

Trusting the Process

P.S. I wouldn't have had to worry about selling my old one, either. Two days later it was sold and gone with more money in my pocket than I ever expected to get out of it. I must say I shed a few tears as it drove away. Saying goodbye to a 17-yr old friend pulls on the heart strings. 

You Prepare the Way Before Me

"You've gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past..." Ps. 139:5 (TPT)

This week I got a notice from the investment company that the interest rate is dropping. It made my heart drop, too. My mind started going down the old rabbit trail - they just do whatever they want, I'm just at the mercy of what other people do, how am I ever supposed to get ahead, why couldn't it go up instead of down, etc.But then I remembered how earlier this year God had directed me to pull a significant amount out of this account and invest it elsewhere, where I am getting a lot better return for my money. I also have another personal loan that renewed for 3 years at a significantly higher rate of interest. I started to smile as recalled the verse about God preparing the way before me. I didn't know the interest rate would be dropping, but he did, and had already made other provisions. 

Another instance I thought of was several years ago when my landlord, quite out of the blue, told me my rent was going up $100/mo. I knew they had been giving me a very good deal, but still, it felt like quite a jump. I was ready to panic, but then I remembered that shortly before that I had gotten a raise at work. Hmmm...this gave me cause for pause. Did God nudge my employer to give me a raise because he was looking into the future knowing my rent would be increasing? I think so.

It's not that God isn't taking care of me, but so often I miss it cause I'm focused on the rent increases and interest rates dropping, instead of the pay raise and better investment options. 

So wherever you find yourself today, know that God is preparing the way before you. 

Abundance - So Much More!

"I am convinced that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through Jesus Christ." Phil. 4:19 TPT

"Never doubt God's mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you." Eph. 3:20 TPT

"... but I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect - life in it's fullness until you overflow." John 10:10b TPT

"Oh, how abundant is your goodness which you have stored up for those who fear you..." Ps. 31:19a ESV

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What does it look like to live this life of abundance? 

What if, instead of groaning and rolling over when my alarm goes off in the morning, I would wake up feeling refreshed from a good night of sleep and excited to see what the day might hold?

What if, instead of dreading going to work each day, I would be excited to conquer any challenges that might come my way?

What if, instead of worrying about whether I'm going to feel good or not, I would be at peace and know I'll be taken care of?

What if, instead of being triggered - shutdown and avoidant, I would be engaged with people and confident in who I am? What if I would show up at work as an adult instead of a (triggered) child?

Since learning about The Compassion Method, a whole new life is opening up before me. Being more self-aware, understanding triggers & how to process through them, learning to give myself compassion, and get comfort has been transforming! 

It's so fun actually showing up to work as an adult. I know what to do in difficult situations, I know there are options, I know I can either figure it out myself or ask for help, when needed. Does that mean I never get triggered? No, but when I do, I can much more quickly recognize what's going on inside and return to my true self. 

If you feel like your life is lacking and you would like to live in more of the abundance that God promises us, I would love to give you tools to do just that. Check out my previous post: Polly Marie Consulting - Free to Be Just Me. You can contact me at pollymarie2003@gmail.com.

What People are Saying: 

"My session with Polly Marie's Consulting opened my eyes to the reason for the negative feelings I was experiencing. I learned how to give myself compassion and find healing for childhood wounds. The result is that I can handle difficult situations much more like an adult instead of reverting back to becoming overwhelmed and frustrated. The time and energy spent has been worth it!" - Lizzie

What Is A Trigger?

Triggers are strong reactions to our pain and unmet needs. Many people are scared or cautious of emotions, but what they are actually afraid of are their reactions. 

I used to think that when someone got triggered they got really angry or upset. This is one of the ways it can manifest, but it could also look like feeling shutdown, helpless, hopeless, terrified, out-of-control, trapped, frustrated, or annoyed. 

For me it can often look like shutdown and avoidance. In the past I often haven't even realized what I'm doing. Self-awareness has been a big part of my journey and is the starting point to be able to access and get healing for pain. These are some of the things I have learned with The Compassion Method.

When you are triggered your "adult brain" shuts off and you jump back to your "child brain". That is why it is so hard to think clearly and handle an "adult" situation. 

A trigger isn't bad. It is simply alerting you to deeper, unresolved pain. When you follow the feelings back to childhood and bring in comfort and compassion, it makes the biggest difference!

To learn more listen to this:

Triggered and True: What You Don't Know About a "Trigger"

A Surprising Discovery

I've always considered myself an internal processor - someone who needs time and space alone to sort through thoughts and emotions. 

But recently, a situation came up that needed a lot of processing. I found myself reaching out to people that I trusted, to hear their perspective and ask for advice, so I could better understand what it was I wanted. It was helpful to hear how others thought through the situation and have discussions about it. In the process I realized I'm more of an external processor. 

It felt freeing, somehow, like I was finally giving myself permission to be me. I remember so often thinking, I just want someone to discuss "stuff" with. A place where I could ask questions without shame or judgment. Where I was heard and my feelings were validated. A place that felt safe. 

This is the journey I've been on of uncovering my true self, beyond the person shaped by pain and unmet needs that so often shows up. There is a growing sense of inner peace, safety, and connection that is hard to explain, but so satisfying. It's the safety within that frees me to be me. 

For years, a dream of mine has been to be some kind of a counselor/coach/consultant. Now I know why! Just as I love having people sit with me and help process my "stuff", I love sitting with others and helping them understand what's going on inside. 

In case you missed it, check out my previous post about my new venture: 

POLLY MARIE CONSULTING: Free to Be, Just Me.