Seeds of Encouragement
I’m not sure there is anything quite as encouraging as receiving a note from someone sharing how your work has made a difference in their life. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to receive kind notes from clients, and those words of encouragement often felt like the oxygen I needed to keep going. As an entrepreneur, you put your talent, creativity, and ideas out there for others to see, and I learned early on that you need to develop a thick skin. There will be “no’s” along the way, and sometimes people may discourage you, even without realizing the impact of their words. I remember two people actually laughing at some of my ideas. So, when I received my first big check as a result of one of those ideas coming to life, I felt an incredible sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t about proving anyone wrong as much as it was realizing that something I had believed in—and worked so hard for—was actually becoming a reality. I remember depositing that check and thinking about how far I had come. It was one of the most rewarding feelings in the world, and it taught me a lesson that has stayed with me ever since: never let someone else’s words keep you from moving forward. That was over fifteen years ago.
I realized along the way that it was, in fact, God who planted the seed of coaching in my heart, beginning with my interest in psychology, mentoring in nonprofit organizations, and my passion for working with teams. Later, I began a journey into the coaching world, which was an extension of my work at our sailing and team-building business at the lake, as well as my work with several nonprofit groups in mentoring. What began years ago as an external vision of how we could support our family through several business ventures became an internal growth process that started with the faith of a mustard seed.
God was working things out in the natural while also developing my character along the way. I am thankful I trusted Him with my insecurities and fears. He has given us a fulfilling life that has allowed us to travel, use our gifts, and, most importantly, spend time together. I remember so many times at the lake—grabbing something quick for dinner and sitting on the sailboat, celebrating children’s birthday parties, swimming, enjoying friends, taking church groups out, or simply sitting and watching amazing sunsets. Water has always been close to my heart, and I guess God really knew how to make His daughter happy when He planted us right next to Lake Lanier. I simply cannot imagine ever being too far from a large body of water. Okay, I digress a little bit… All of this was a lot of hard work, but we would not trade it for anything.
One thing about becoming a Christian life coach is that the material is incredibly rich, so you walk away with an internal depth that stays with you. Becoming a coach is not easy. It is about really knowing who you are as a person and in Christ so that you are solid when it is time to lean in and let clients explore who they are, giving them the freedom and space to grow. Becoming a coach solidified all of who I am. All the seeds that had been planted throughout my life by others who had my back and kept saying, “Go for it”… those seeds of encouragement brought me to the place I am now.
Once again, I am on a new journey, combining my food business of fifteen years with my coaching business. When seeds of vision are watered and cared for, they bring forth much fruit in their season. Along the edges of this blog are encouraging words and some early pictures from my journey. They are a reminder to me to always encourage others in their purpose and to be kind because we do not know what people carry in their hearts and minds.
What seeds have been planted in your heart and mind? What words of encouragement have been spoken over you? I hope you will take time to reflect, recognize those seeds, and begin taking intentional steps toward the dreams placed in your heart.
“Just what I needed! Nilsa is such a wonderful coach. I have been so scared to step out in faith but with her help and encouragement, I did it! I accomplished a lifelong dream of writing a book. My journey started in January and today I typed the last words of the last chapter. I can’t thank you enough, Nilsa!” ~Lori Pearson
“Nilsa is a caring coach that helped me personally navigate through emotions, grief and reach goals toward wellness. She also is very skilled at emotional intelligence and literacy, and taught a group of women at the recovery center I work at, Lightway Recovery, on this subject for well over a year. She is very skilled in her field, and I highly recommend her!” Brianne Yost
