As many of you read in my blog, I went on a creative break to Seabrook Island off the coast of South Carolina in early April. I had never been here before but it was a treat to myself for a busy and successful year.

I woke early one morning thinking about this week when my boys would be off skiing on spring break in Colorado, and my husband would be travelling, and wondered what I should do. I asked my Inner Savvy & Audaciously Successful Business Woman and she knew right away! She said to go away…find a place to go that was inspiring….use this chunk of free time to get a few projects done and to relax and fill back up. She also said…and treat yourself nice…go somewhere inspiring! For me it has to be a beach! I found Seabrook Island as I was looking at lodging choices, and I also heard her say…and you want to be on the beach - no skimping out on your creative inspiration!

It was a stretch for me to book time away just for me - even with the tax write-off advantage! At first I felt bad like I “shouldn’t be spending the money on just me.” I worked on those limiting beliefs, practiced stepping into success and enjoying the creative retreat and booked the oceanfront Villa!

It was simply an amazing week and a gorgeous island just off the coast. There were spectacular views of the inlet and the ocean. Near sundown all the deer came out to feed, during the day dolphins were literally jumping in the air, the beach was filled with shells and the evening sky held gorgeous mesmerizing sunsets. All during the week I had been taking walks along the shore several times a day. I would think about the future direction of my business, The Center for Joyful Business or a new project I was working on. During my strolls I would pick up shells and bring them back to the house to set them on the deck to admire. I was excited to find bits and pieces of sand dollars. They are one of my favorite types of shells! This was unexpected. I didn’t realize they washed ashore this far north.

As I mentioned, during this trip I had been thinking a lot about my business. Where was it going, how big did I want it to get, thinking about new directions, etc…and I started thinking wouldn’t it be nice if I found a beautiful sand dollar on the beach. What a perfect sign form the universe that would be! A sign of prosperity, beauty and that I’m going in the right direction!

Well, this became a bit of an obsession, walking up and down the beach at different times of the day when the tide was in and again when it when out. Would a whole sand dollar be near the edge of the water when the tide goes out or will it wash it up on the beach with the energy of high tide? On and on I looked…for a sign. Later in the week I was talking to a woman I met on the beach who said she comes to Seabrook every year and they always find sand dollars on the north end of the island.

Ok, the challenge was set. I got out my map of this little island and packed off in the car to explore a new beach - on the north end! Up and down the beach I walked looking for a sign that I’m on the right path.

Finally on the last night of my stay after dinner I decided to take one last walk on the beach on the north end. I packed my bag, my favorite lawn chair and traveled across the island and walked out onto the beach. I had my ipod with me and started listening to Neale Donald Walsch, author of the book series, Conversations with God. I walked along the shore for almost an hour, then I turned around and walked back along the water’s edge. The sun was low as it was setting. I heard Neale talking about letting go and I had the thought go through my mind that I was trying too hard. The setting sun was in my eyes so it was hard to see anyway. I knew that I was on the right path. I just needed to let go of trying so hard and trust myself. Well, unbelievably, just then a big beautiful sand dollar washed up in the wave s right to my toes. It wasn’t a piece of a sand dollar, but a whole one - beautiful like it was sketched from God. I just got tears in my eyes and let out a giggle. It was so beautiful and perfect. And it just took “letting go and trusting.”

I am framing my sand dollar as reminder for me to “let go, not hold on so tight and to trust”. It was the perfect sign from the universe!

En-joy!

Laura

Last 5 posts by Laura Howard West

• Is It Time to Upgrade Your Client? How to Know... - October 1st, 2008
• Hot Women, Cool Planet - September 23rd, 2008
• Guiding Principle #8: It's All Good - September 10th, 2008
• Guiding Principle #6: Generosity Mentality - September 2nd, 2008
• No Fax/No Fun! Perspectives on Fun - August 12th, 2008

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 26th, 2008 at 2:17 pm and is filed under Law of Attraction, Solo Entrepreneur Mindset, Self Employment Law. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.