What do a diamond, butterfly and you have in common? All three are divinely inspired, precious and have to undergo a process of change to become what they are.
Most natural diamonds are formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions, 140-190 Kilometers (87 – 120 miles) in the earth’s mantle. This growth occurs over periods of 1 billion to 3.3 billion years.
Butterflies on the other hand, take a lot less time to be formed. Depending on the type and environment, this can take anywhere from one month to a year. Considering the comparatively short time period, one has to marvel at the dramatic changes that take place from egg to adult.
And then there’s us…
The nature of our transformational process is a topic that could lead to much debate and disagreement. However it’s not necessary for us to agree on matters beyond the grave here. What we can agree on is that in the lives we are living here and now, much change takes place at all levels.
In my previous post I said I had been going through some significant changes recently and that I’d be writing about these in my next few posts. Interestingly many of you who left comments said you had been going through important changes too. I don’t believe that this is a coincidence. There is great deal of change consciousness happening at this time.
No doubt you’ve heard it said that the only thing you can be sure of in life is that everything will change. It’s a process required for growth and it’s inevitable.
While diamonds and butterflies continue to undergo their respective transformational processes undeterred, most humans do not find it quite as easy to embrace change.
Most of us accept the concept intellectually but few of us like change and are seldom ready for it when it comes, as it must.
By processing some significant changes recently I got to thinking about what I know about change in my own life.
I’ve always believed I was fairly good at embracing change. I believed this because of my experience.
Here are some examples:
My father’s work meant we traveled around a lot when I was young, so by the age of 10 I had already been to 7 schools.
As a youngster growing up, I changed my bedroom around at least monthly and often more frequently.
I changed the configuration of my first degree four times in three years.
As an adult I have lived in five different countries.
My career history is somewhat diverse too – actor, teacher, pharmaceutical sales and marketing, scriptwriter, counselor, corporate coach and trainer, just to mention a few. Then there have also been three businesses I’ve owned.
I could provide you with many more examples but I’m sure you understand from these alone why I believed I was better than average at dealing with change.
It isn’t that I’m indecisive but rather the fact that I like and thrive on change, so I’ve always believed that I welcomed change more easily than others.
Become too complacent however and you can be sure there is a lesson about to be learned. This is just what I have been through.
What do I know about change now?
- Being able to deal with self-initiated change does not mean one will necessarily be good at dealing with unexpected changes.
- The saying, “Be careful of what you ask for” is totally true and you had better be prepared for whatever this might mean in reality.
- We are always able to cope with the changes that come our way even when we don’t think we will be able to do so.
- When we instigate change we usually want it to happen faster than it does.
- When change is brought into our lives unexpectedly, we usually want it to go away or at least slow down.
- You can never know for sure how you will deal with change you have not yet had to deal with.
- Change may look as if it occurs overnight but the process has been and is ongoing.
- We may know that resisting change is futile but still go down this road.
In my next post I’ll tell you more about the changes I have been dealing with but for now it’s over to you:
How well do you deal with change? Why do you think this?
What have you definitely learned about change in your own life?
Have your say in the comments section and I’ll meet you there.
I’d love it if you would share this post with your followers on your social networks. Thank you.
Be Happy!
Image: http://www.sxc.hu/profile/betta5
They are all precious.. Diamond are expensive that is why they treasure its value. Just the same for me and the butterfly right?
Jane Cortus recently posted..נעלי נשים
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Hi Marcus,
I agree with everything you’ve said about change in your summary. I am in the process of the results (read: fallout) from the massive change of losing my six figure job 18 months ago and being absolutely unable to find another job, of any stripe or variety. This means my family can’t afford and will lose our home that we’ve put everything, a huge amount of money, into…just because we can’t currently make the monthly payments. And we have nothing left. I have noticed that I am not nearly the only one going through a complete reversal, where any attempt to go back to the old is simply not what the universe has in mind. I still don’t know what it DOES have in mind, or WHY exactly this happened the way it did, but I am sure to find out sooner or later. The thing is to stay open to the possibilities.
Julie | A Clear Sign recently posted..Giving Up – Rules and Limiting Beliefs
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:15 am
Hi Julie,
Wow, sounds like you’ve had to go through some hard change too Julie. The key is staying open to the possibilities like you say.
It requires having faith that whatever happens is for the best even though we can’t see why at the time.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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Hey Marcus,
In the past I hated change. I can say this with pure conviction due to unexpected changes that occurred in my life several times in a short period of three years. It got so hard that I couldn’t actually plan my life any longer because at the snap of a finger, my life would change.
I know that over time we have to look back and know that was what was suppose to happen whether I welcomed it or not. Having gone through those changes in my life have made me the person I am today so I have to be thankful for them although they weren’t pleasant and it wasn’t what I wanted for me at the time.
Having been studying more personal development these past four years I now can welcome the change that comes my way because I know it’s necessary in order for me to continue my growth. I’ll just continue to pray that it’s all positive changes and no more negative.
Look forward to hearing about what’s been happening for you and I do hope it’s all be positive.
Adrienne recently posted..Are Your Followers Seeing Your Tweets?
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:26 am
Hi Adrienne,
I guess the one thing we learn about change is that we do not necessarily have to like it for it to be valid or necessary.
It’s a bit like love. People often think that loving someone means you have to always be “nice” to them. However to be completely selfless sometimes requires taking action that may not be perceived as very nice and yet it’s in their best interests that we take action we do.
Change comes in whatever form we require it to come I guess and while we can get better at embracing it, one can never become too complacent as you never know what you might be asked to sacrifice in order for change to happen.
Thank you for adding to the conversation Adrienne.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
[Reply]
Hello Marcus,
You were an actor huh? I could tell by that video I saw of you a while back because you were a natural on camera.
I think you said it best that when we initiate the change it’s manageable but when it is unexpected it can really do a number on our psyche.
I know that when I am having trouble with change it is due to my mind/thinking. I have to raise my awareness above the mind level and into the higher-self level to see that the change will lead to something better even though it may not appear so at the moment.
It’s the catch 22 of life. Certainty equals boredom and uncertainty can lead to stress. I would say that having a way to feel certain during uncertainty would be the best way to handle change.
Justin recently posted..What Matters To You
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:30 am
Hi Justin,
Ah thanks for the compliment my friend. Oddly enough I am not as comfortable in front of a camera as I am on a stage.
All change has to be welcomed in faith that it is for our best and we don’t always manage to do a very good job of this.
I agree with you that grounding activities are very useful for when we are going through change.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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Hi Marcus,
Hmm, learned some more cool things about you. An actor, huh?! Awesome!
Change, oh dear! I guess I’m a bit divided on that. If I have control, I love it. Actually, I’d love to make some (drastic) changes. But when you are married and have a family that’s not so easy.
As far as unexpected change however…I don’t deal well with that at all. I don’t perform well under stress. I need to know what’s coming.
Looking forward to your next post!
Take care,
Ilka
Ilka Flood recently posted..Busted For Breaking the Twitter Rules!
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:32 am
Hi Ilka,
Yes.. a while ago but all part of my history.
Like you I can also tend to want to control things and that’s the hard part. Often one is asked to give up that control. Not easy for us!!
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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Well change… Honestly I’m not pretty good in handling change but I’m working on it. Imho, to be able to accept change, we need to forget the past and not to be too harsh on ourselves as well. We deserve it.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 1:57 am
Hi Lyn,
Welcome and thanks for the comment.
You make such an excellent point. We must not be too harsh in ourselves. It is best to be light and easy with ourselves and all else will follow as a consequence.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
It’s my first visit here and able to read a very interesting post. I personally feel that there are lot of changes which take place in our life due to earning only… there are many changes which take place which you never imagined and could not even think about it. I agreed with almost every points but I really like one point and like to mention
“We are always able to cope with the changes that come our way even when we don’t think we will be able to do so.” this is the quality which makes human best in all creatures.
Priya recently posted..Goa Holiday Packages
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 1:55 am
Hi Priya,
Welcome and thank you for adding to the discussion here.
I agree with you. We are only ever given change when we are ready for it so when it comes we always are. If we can accept this then we will honor our own inner power to deal with any change.
~Marcus
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Hello there!.. Hmm.. for me.. change is something we need to get over with as soon as possible.. and to do that we have to accept things that we can’t change and if there are things you can change now, change it always for the better..
Interesting post..
jorge recently posted..Traveling for a triathlon: The Basics
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 1:52 am
Hi Jorge,
Welcome and thanks for adding to the discussion here.
Embracing change as quickly as we can is a definite advantage.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
I dig your change points
I handle change fairly well. Changes which seem to elicit a strong emotional response – some blockage in me – well, I tend to react emotionally, quickly, then let go quickly.
So much depends on how in the moment I am. Being present helps me embrace change and be excited about it. Living in the future or past – in my mind – when change comes about pisses me off….lol
I let go the anger quickly though. For this, I am grateful.
So true about self-initiated change versus Universal whack you in the face change. Embracing all change with balance and poise is a sign of enlightenment. Getting better at letting go, getting better at embracing, getting better at….not worrying about getting better
Thanks for sharing your wisdom Marcus!
RB
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..2 Reasons Why Cash Gifting Programs Are Low Stress Wealth Generation Systems
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Hi Ryan,
You are right about one needing to be in the moment when change comes marching in. All the more reason to be practice mindfulness as much as possible.
I am also good at letting go of anger quickly but a few other emotions do not come as easily.
It’s all a matter of having faith and believing that we are always taken care of. Then we have no reason to fear or resist change.
Thank you for always adding valuable comments Ryan.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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This one point “Being able to deal with self-initiated change does not mean one will necessarily be good at dealing with unexpected changes.” stood out so much to me. I see people within many organizations struggling when something comes up. They have to learn how to be diverse and just relax.
Barry Wheeler recently posted..Prospecting for Links
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 1:23 am
Hi Barry,
Welcome and thanks for adding to the discussion.
Your advice to people to just chill and relax is crucial. That harder you push up against change the harder it is.
~Marcus
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This is the most inspiring post I have read in a long time. Thank you so much, Marcus.
Personally, I think I deal with change well. My business has taught me to do that and I have learned to embrace it.
PS Wanted to make sure you saw your blog on my new CommentLuv enabled blog list!
Ana recently posted..Thesis Theme
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 1:21 am
Hi Ana,
Loved your CommentLuv enabled blog list. Thanks for adding me to the list!
Great to read that you are an effective change agent Ana. No surprises there.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
Great topic. Change is a very interesting subject. It’s interesting that everyone reacts differently to change.
However, we all share common emotions and reactions which very by levels of degree.
It’s true that I look forward to change that I initiate and often fight tooth and nail against unexpected change.
I’m working on taking action instead of being reactionary.
Thanks for the post.
John recently posted..5 MLM Recruiting Tips – How to Recruit in Network Marketing
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 1:18 am
Hi John,
Good to see you here.
Great to hear that you are working on initiating change rather than having to react to circumstances that could have been made easier. I think we all need more practice at this.
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus I’ve learned something here in your page thanks for sharing.
Fatima Hipolito recently posted..נעלי נשים
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:37 am
Thanks Fatima.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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Hi Marcus,
Wow, its quite amazing on how you were able to adapt to these changes. well, we really don’t have a choice we have to go with the flow and accept the things that we can’t change.. Just like you I’ve been transferring from one school to another but not as often as you do. Eventually, it allows me to easily embrace change when I grew up.
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 1:16 am
Hi Jasmine,
Welcome and thanks for adding to the discussion here.
When you go through a lot of change when you young it does help you to deal with it later on.
~Marcus
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Marcus, aloha. Great title, great image, great topic, great flow, GREAT POST!
As it happens, I love change and thrive on it. Over the years I have owned many different businesses in diverse fields. In each instance, I had to teach myself about this business and the industry. The only overlaps were those that are inherent in all businesses.
The reason I believe I am so comfortable with change, Marcus, is because if something doesn’t feel good to me, I see no point in continuing to it. Thus, the only way to stop, is to change or to do something else.
My friends have long told me that I reinvent from myself every few years. My core values are the same, however, my appearance and my occupation are quite different.
Someone once told me “when you’re green you grow and when your ripe you rot.” Marcus, if we are not growing and changing then we are stagnating, then deteriorating. Color me forever green.
What I have learned about change, Marcus, is that it is vital to who I am and who I want to be. Change is one of my very dearest friends.
Wishing you a magnificent week ahead. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Janet recently posted..Remembering by Paying It Forward and Thanking
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:49 am
Janet aloha. – Love that line, “when you’re green you grow and when your ripe you rot.”
What you say about making friends with change is so true Janet. If you don’t, it becomes your enemy and leads to untold skirmishes and self suffering.
Change is essential for all of us to continue expanding and it’s wonderful that you are so easily embracing of all change in your life Janet.
Thank you for adding a wonderfully positive comment here as usual Janet. Have a wonderful new week.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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P.S. You certainly are doing an excellent job teasing us about your upcoming revelations on your change. Can’t wait to learn what you will be doing next and how you evolved.
Janet recently posted..Remembering by Paying It Forward and Thanking
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:51 am
Sorry it took me a while Jane to get to this comment. I have been working at catching up with comments and I am still no done.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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Hi Marcus!
Your article is great. I’m the kind of person that hate every changes in life because I can cope up from one change to the other. But after I got married, I know that their will be lots of changes in my life. I need to adjust in the environment I could have right now. Thanks for the post you shared, you taught me well.
Tracy Ann recently posted..אתרי פעוטות
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 1:01 am
Hi Tracy,
Great to see you here!
I am pleased you learned something from this post. Hope to see you here again soon.
~Marcus
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Chages is natural.I admire your thoughts.. It will be my pleasure to share this on Facebook.. I love reading a very inspirational post like this.. Thanks for sharing this to us!
Sally Thompson recently posted..walmart oil change
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 12:59 am
Hi Sally,
Welcome and than you for your encouraging words. I am all for inspiring others so pleased I managed to do so with this posts today.
~Marcus
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What a beautiful analogy. It’s so true, you have to develop and transform yourself to become something greater than what you already are. It takes time and effort but is absolutely possible. I love your point about not necessarily being great with dealing with unexpected change well… it’s so true.
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:54 am
Hi Carrie,
Great to have your positive contribution here, thank you.
Just because change may be painful and even unpleasant does not mean we shouldn’t embrace it. So often we only want to do what feels Ok and yet things only feel Ok when we do them so it’s a catch 22 situation.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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Hey Marcus
I am looking forward to reading about your changes.
For me, I thrive on change. I look at it as an opportunity to learn.
Peter
Peter Fuller MBA recently posted..The Cash Flow Mindset
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 8:56 am
Hi Peter,
I am not at all surprised to hear that you thrive on change Peter. I have always believed I did too until recently but as you say it’s all about opportunities to learn some more and I’ve certainly done that.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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Marcus,
What a great analogy! I say I like change but sometimes I fool myself.
We are definitely creatures of habits. But if we don’t change our habits, nothing else will change either.
Great post and great blog.
Chuck
Charles Holmes recently posted..Sep 13, Forever Eagle International FLP Manager James Dang Testimonial
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 12:58 am
Hi Charles,
Just seen that this comment got a bit lost but I found it. Thanks for leaving a comment.
I agree with you. We all think we like change until change happens and then we are not so sure.
Thanks for the positive feedback.
~Marcus
[Reply]
[...] Marcus from Marcus Baker [...]
Nice title
Well change can be scary at first, but if you are opened minded you’ll see that truly when a new door closes another opens. So be brave – this is my advice to me.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 18th, 2011 at 9:00 am
Hi Mia,
Thank you. Be brave is great advice and then of course bravery is not something you are aware of before the fact but rather afterwards.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Sign of Confirmation or Co-incidence?
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It is easier for me to embrace changes because I am a versatile person and get bored with the usual life and routines. Does take time to adapt to new things and get over my attachments and sink in surprises, but do embrace them happily and say that it’s God will and is the best for me.
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
September 14th, 2011 at 8:48 am
Hi Simon,
Welcome and thank you for sharing your comment with us.
Simon I believe when we remember that everything that comes to us is God’s will then we learn to embrace whatever it is that comes.
~Marcus
[Reply]
Hi, Marcus!
I see you don’t have troubles with changes and I, too, tend to accept them easily, as I am used to them. OK, I didn’t live in five different countries as you did, although I do travel a lot (hope that counts). Recently, I changed country, so now everything is new for me, I even have to learn the language although I already speak five of them (however, this new one is not on the list of the existing ones.:) I get bored with routines on daily basis, so changing my possible habits before I actually create them is something always welcome. Now, when compared to diamond or a butterfly, I prefer to be a diamond…not because of their material price, but because butterflies do not last long, especially after they make changes…and on the other hand, as James Bond would say “Diamonds are forever”.:)
Kristina L. recently posted..Xtras Coupon Code
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 16th, 2011 at 8:15 am
Hi Kristina,
Wow you already speak five languages! How awesome. Yes it sounds like you are used to change too Kristina.
I love the way your thinking behind choosing to be a diamond.
And like Diamonds we are forever too!
~Marcus
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This reminds me of a quote I love…”There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you its going to be a butterfly.”
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 16th, 2011 at 8:00 am
Hi Jeo,
Great quote that. Any idea who said it?
~Marcus
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I too think that the change is really necessary but the regular posting can’t over come any of the things
Mac data recovery software recently posted..Software
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Marcus Baker Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 6:46 am
Hi,
I am not sure I understand your comment but yes change is always necessary for our growth.
~Marcus
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Awesome post, Marcus. You’re so right.. the only thing that’s permanent is change. Thanks for sharing.
Etieno
Etieno Etuk recently posted..Time Management Techniques That Will Help You Succeed In Your Home Based Business
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
September 24th, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Hi Etieno,
Welcome and thank you for leaving a comment.
It’s not always easy to welcome change but if we can make this a habit it becomes much easier to embrace life more fully.
~Marcus
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Yes, diamonds are formed over billions of years but what makes them really beautiful is when they undergo cutting process. This is where the real transformation begins. Sometimes in our lives we need to be ‘cut’ and refined to show off our brilliance.
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
September 30th, 2011 at 2:54 am
Hi Jim,
Welcome and thanks for adding to the discussion.
I like the idea of needing to undergo our own cutting and refining process to shine as we should.
~Marcus
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What a great analogy!Does take time to adapt to new things and get over my attachments and sink in surprises, but do embrace them happily and say that it’s God will and is the best for me.
Celestine recently posted..glass blowing
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business has taught me to change and get out of my comfort zone… i was a rough diamond and im still being shaped into the 6 figure diamond i will become….wow I need to come here more often thanks Marcus!
Tanisha recently posted..Some Great Valentine Day Gifts
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Marcus Baker Reply:
February 15th, 2012 at 6:37 am
Hi Tanisha,
I love the positive expectations you have of yourself. With that mindset I have no doubt that you will achieve exactly that.
~Marcus
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