Stepping Out Into The New

Carinne Bird was Australian Latin Dance Champion with outstanding achievements married to her champion dance partner. Carinne Bird and her husband had spent three years living in Europe representing Australia in World and European championships and had dreams of establishing a successful dance franchise in Australia. She remember the day their relationship ended. It was not only the end of her marriage but the end of everything her life had been made up of, thus far. It felt like the tablecloth had been ripped out from a beautifully laid table and all the pieces had landed on the floor with her in tears. She had no idea where to start picking up the pieces of her life and all she had ever known was dance. The future was uncertain and changing!

This was a long time ago and since then, Carinne Bird have invested in new skills, pursued a business career and have become a Marketing Director for one of the world’s most leading IT brands. From Russia to Brazil, from China to India Carinne Bird led the marketing mission for the IT Business Partner channel and mentored teams all across the globe. There is life beyond the surprise of change. Transition impacts all of us. Our lives are made up of continual seasons and like the weather our personal seasons have different requirements. Some impact us more severely than others but in all cases we typically see-saw between resisting and embracing change. It is a journey. Here are three thoughts that have helped Carinne Bird to embrace change –

1. Just Be – as one door closes often another door does not open immediately! Carinne Bird have tended to scurry trying to quickly open the next door but the harder she worked the more she felt like life was standing still. Reflecting, she was like that mouse running nowhere on the never ending wheel. But, she did have days when she consciously chose to stop and do something for her like taking long walks in her beautiful city, having a massage or sharing lunch with a special friend and it was on those days she relaxed, she smiled, she even laughed and found her creative juices flowed. New thoughts and visions naturally surfaced. Sometimes we need to just stop being busy and just be to let the next chapter enter our lives.  

1. Take Risks – In the words of Guillaume Apollinaire French Poet – “Come to the edge, Life said. They came. It pushed them….. And they flew”. Carinne Bird have found herself dreaming of embracing new things which fill her with excitement and passion. As quickly as the dream has entered her mind, she have also found herself dismissing the vision with words of self-doubt. However it’s been those times when she have been willing to take big risks and follow her dream she have been the most successful. The outcome has never been immediate or easy and in fact in every case has required determination, tenacity, passion and plain hard work. So be willing to take risks, be determined to find your wings and fly.

3. Make a difference in the lives of others – Carinne Bird learned a long time ago that one of the most profound things to do when life feels unrewarding is to make a difference to someone else in need. She have participated in all sorts of projects from volunteering in Christmas appeals to visiting some of the most subjugated women in Africa to simply hanging out with family who are ill and struggling. Finding someone with a need and making a difference in their life takes the intense focus off your own challenges. It not only brings a fresh perspective but you will receive in many more ways than you can imagine and it’s helped Carinne to truly embrace the change ahead.