Journey to Me: Trust the Wisdom of Change

By Sylvia Worsham

WHEN JOY SEEMS BEYOND YOUR REACH...

WHEN THE PAIN IS TOO GREAT...

WHEN YOUR THOUGHTS AND F

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sylvia Villalobos Worsham Enterprises, LLC
• Release date: Oct 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781737910800

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Journey to Me

Sylvia Worsham

Copyright © 2021 Sylvia Worsham.

All Rights Reserved. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author/publisher.

This book is a work of non-fiction. In some cases, the names and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author assumes no responsibility for your actions.

ISBN: 978-1-7379108-2-4 (paperback)

ISBN: 978-1-7379108-1-7 (hardback)

ISBN: 978-1-7379108-0-0 (eBook)

Dedication

For my mom, Sylvia.

To my one true friend, my mom, who since the time of my youth, empowered me to be courageous and resilient during times of change. Thank you for believing in me, and for giving me a life of joy and friendship. Your legacy and wisdom shines throughout the pages of this book. I love you.

Acknowledgements

Journey to Me: Trust the Wisdom of Change is possible because of the love and care of various individuals I wish to thank. God deserves the most credit and glory. He prompted me to write this book and patiently waited thirteen years for me finally to find the courage to do it. He gifted me with the words when I found myself with writers’ block, especially as I neared Chapters 11 and 12.

I’d like to thank my husband, Donnie, who provided a loving push to commence my writing journey. Donnie’s work provides me with the security and confidence to do God’s work. His encouragement throughout this past year and the various roles he played impacted my overall work and energy. He ensured I received enough sleep and encouraged my many nature walks, as I conversed with God, to work out the outlines and chapter themes. I’m blessed to have him as my partner in this shared mission to turn more souls to heaven.

The love I feel for my kids, Andres and Vivian, emboldened me to put these raw and real stories out there in the first place. I’ve held the belief in my heart I’d always be a writer. As a parent, I wanted to show our children the power of following your dreams. Their pride and love for me kept me going when the words failed to come.

My parents deserve a special mention. Their hard work and sacrifice paved my path and allowed me the financial freedom to begin my work as a Speaker, Coach, and Author. My mother, my one true friend and confidant, empowered me to become the amazing human being, wife, mother, daughter, and friend I am in life. Her wisdom is shared through the thread of this book. I’d like to thank my dad personally for modeling grit, generosity, and grace under fire, qualities which served me well during the creation of this book. I needed grit to push past my own insecurities, and write about painful chapters in my life, in the hopes, others would feel less lonely on their own journeys of self-discovery and self-empowerment.

Rebeca Osorio Batres, thank you for reading the first and second drafts of the original manuscript. You took my thoughts, ideas, and through your guidance, Journey to Me began to take shape. Your recommendations, and honest feedback, helped me organize the book. Your encouragement via WhatsApp texts throughout the last year and half empowered me to continue on the vulnerable writing journey which healed me and others who read it. Thank you for your friendship, care and invaluable advice! I look forward to our collaboration on the Spanish translation of this book.

God brought Joyce Glass into my life towards the end of 2020. During the pandemic, I longed to belong to writers’ communities, so I could learn from them. I joined the writing group Joyce led to begin the process of finding my next steps. Through her coaching and training, I developed my writing using the fictional techniques she taught, and my chapters began to come alive with details and thoughts. I’m eternally grateful for her guidance and the developmental editing she provided. Thank you, Joyce, for putting up with multiple emails, texts, and phone calls. You are a gem!

In the summer of 2020, as the outline of the book began its transformation, God sent me an angel on earth. Sharlyn Street offered to be a beta reader and editor of the first complete chapters of the book. Another set of eyes to help me condense and refine the writing. Sharlyn, thank you for sharing your edits and empowering comments which kept me focused until the end.

Amy Lovelynn, my collaborator and dear friend, motivated me to step into my own power and write my own content, instead of relying heavily on mentors and teachers. Thank you for believing in me and my divine SOUL’s purpose. I’m blessed to have you in my life. Your Soul Letter provided me with invaluable guidance and wisdom.

Carmen Davailus, my friend and collaborator, thank you for volunteering to write my foreword. You did an amazing job detailing how we met, and your first impressions. It set the stage for those reading the book. I’d also like to thank you, for your guidance in the early stages of my writing journey, which helped me navigate the various challenges I encountered.

It takes an army of collaborators to make the creation of a book come to life. Included in the list of people are those who helped me navigate the writing world with ease, those who shared their viewpoints of the scenes in the book, and lastly those who graciously gave their insight on the greatest challenges they faced as they navigated change. They are: Jason Black, Cherrilynn Bisbano, Doug Carter, Andrea Andie Cooper, Soñia Henry Cornejo, Joe Gonzalez, Sarah Sagrado Hammond, Matt Huff, Keith Keller, Garrett Kiesle, Meredith Koloski, Brian Lang, Doris Bell Lang, Chris O’Byrne, Kelly Petry, Mario Porreca, Barbara Daye Price, David Stallcup, Christina Villarreal, Whitney Ward, and Dr. Irene Williams.

No book is ever successful without a beautiful and creative cover. I sincerely wish to thank the team at JetLaunch! Thank you for helping me format the book, create the cover for it and setting up my book on Amazon and Ingram Sparks. Your creativity and direction gave the book the finishing touches it needed.

My many friends and communities across all my social media accounts, I wish to offer my heartfelt gratitude for the words of encouragement, and for your private messages detailing how my posts were lifting your spirits. As any author will tell you, we all face times when our creativity slows and our spirit too needs words of empowerment to help us get up the next day and stick with it. People who deserve special mention and kept me propelling forward are: Molly Avila, Humberto Caballero, Angel Cardona Villalobos, Claudia Corres, Lourdes Luly Corres, Tia Costello, Velma De Los Santos, Jennifer Ewing, Alma Figueroa, Debbie Garza, Guadalupe Lupita Garza, Adriana Gonzalez, Cassandra, Cassie Goodell, Mirna Gracia, Laura Hall, Tita Hoffman, Mikala Lark, Sam Lies, Teresa Lisum, Emma Lozano Leal, Marisol McGee, Angelina Musik, Kathryn Nuñez, Dr. Alfonso Ochoa, Dr. Joseph John Martinez O’Hara, Amy Pearson, Barbara Pfullmann, Sherri Phillips, Dennis Seeb, Sarah Torres, Carmen White, Keith Wilhelm, and lastly Laura Zavala.

Lastly, I owe my gratitude to the readers of Journey to Me. Tomorrow is never guaranteed, and you have shared some of your time with me as you read the book. My sincere heartfelt wish is you will navigate change with joy. Stay true to yourselves and to your soul’s desires. May God continue to bless each of you abundantly.

Foreword

I was a woman sitting at a business networking meeting silently yearning to talk with someone and yet praying to go unnoticed. Welcome to womanhood. Old patterns and new ways of being collided, and I lived in this junkyard of mismatched feeling and desires. I was new to business after being in the healthcare field for over 40 years. I had no idea how much I needed to learn. I was new to finding my way post domestic abuse, and I didn’t know how to hide it from the world while appearing strong and friendly. I was new to following my dream.

I happened to sit next to Sylvia at one of these meetings. She looked beautiful, and appeared perfectly put together. I was busy hiding 30 pounds of extra weight under baggy cardigans, and couldn’t help but notice her fit body, gorgeously styled clothing and did I mention the shoes? She wore beautiful shoes and heels my feet could only remember ever wearing. But that wasn’t all. Sylvia was warm, caring and gave the best hugs. Her eyes were so intent I feared if she could see through me. Did the scars show? It didn’t matter. We became friends, and I suspect it didn’t take long for me to drip out parts of my story. Sylvia’s story was a much slower drip though.

I had the joy of photographing her for a website update, and her son joined us. As always, I asked Sylvia what she wanted people to feel when they looked at the pictures. How did she want to appear? One of her three words was fun. The thing is, when we are anxious, fun is not how people usually see us, and her son Andres was quick to point out, but you aren’t fun." Teenagers often see our truth, but don’t express quite correctly. The lighthearted, fun Sylvia she wanted to show was still hidden behind anxiety born of her life experience. Ah, but it was always there, and since I had a special peak with my camera, I saw what others were just beginning to see.

We all live a life of high peaks and low valleys. Our stories may sound different, but they feel familiar. One thing I know for sure, is that life’s journey is one of learning to give and receive love, knowing it is enough. Anything we do in life lacking love, is born of fear and is fruitless. How love lands once it is sent is in God’s hands, and knowing this releases our anxieties. You’ll read how Sylvia managed her own journey and how she evolved into the person who was always there but hidden away. I find it mesmerizing how even writing her story became a healing journey for her. It takes strength to look at circumstances objectively and assume ownership, release blame and pour in the love. Some will tell you how surrender is an act of cowardice, when most certainly, anyone who surrenders their life to God’s will and earnestly takes the time and energy to quietly wait and listen for God’s message is quite a superhero in my book.

Connection with others is a basic spiritual need. Perhaps 2020 simply proved how connection is not a luxury. We cannot live without it. Connection is a top life value because connection leads to love and in the end when all else fades, we are left with love. Love is enough.

Dear reader, as you begin this beautiful book, imagine holding Sylvia’s hand as you venture from one lesson to another. Cry with her. Laugh with her. Grow with her. Experience a connection through written word. We are all in this together. Enjoy your journey knowing you too will grow with every turn of the page.

Carmen Davailus

Author, Visual Artist, Speaker and

Founder of Doggies for Dementia Foundation

Dear Empowered Souls:

Journey to Me: Trust the Wisdom of Change will inspire you to turn to God in times of uncertainty, find the joy in your everyday life, and navigate change with faith, trust, belief and love.

God taught me lessons along the way which I vulnerably share with you in my application of them in my life. Once I released my fears to God and trusted Him to guide me, did I begin to see what he needed me to understand and apply. Life is not meant to be easy; and by stepping out in faith in times of uncertainty, He made my path clear. My journey to my soul and joy became the most profound transformation of my life. It led me down the path of self-love which impacted my relationships, career, mindset and health in powerful ways.

Our experiences are unique. No two lives are the same, you are unique and powerful. The purpose behind this book is to serve as guidance in your understanding of how habits, limiting beliefs, patterns of behavior steer your choices in life. You’ll read about the amazing capabilities of your two minds, the subconscious and conscious minds.

You will learn about behavioral patterns created by your subconscious mind to protect you. The five cycles of transformation you’ll undergo when faced with turning points as well as how to trust and act on your God instincts. It’s in the application of what we read and learn that change occurs in us.

During Covid-19 I felt a push from God to compile the stories into the book you hold in your hands today. Through His guidance, I emerged from the darkness of fear-driven beliefs, habits to find my voice, soul, joy and light. It became a journey of self-discovery in many ways. Halfway through, I found her and my soul’s divine purpose. The Her, God created me to be. A voice that gently guides others in their own paths of self-discovery and self-love.

Turning points or shifts can be life-changing. In this book I share some of the most intimate turning points of my life in the hope that you’ll feel less alone in your own journey. As an accountability partner, I’ll gently guide you with coaching tips, traps, journaling prompts, and scripture which may be useful to you as you apply it in your own life.

My desire for you is that you will experience more joy, faith and trust while navigating transitions in life. I want you to know unequivocally how strong, courageous and empowered you are and how much this world and your children need you to be.

The answers you seek are inside of you. Go and find the joy and your divine soul’s purpose and most importantly have fun along the way. I believe in you, and in your story of empowerment.

Many blessings,

Sylvia

Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Dear Reader Letter

Chapter 1 I am Responsible

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Chapter 2 I am Courageous

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Chapter 3 I am Intuitive

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Chapter 4 I am Resilient

Coaching Tips

Coaching Trap

Chapter 5 I will Persevere

Coaching Tips

Coaching Trap

Chapter 6 I will be Faithful

Coaching Tips

Coaching Trap

Chapter 7 I Am a Visionary

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Chapter 8 I Trust in Him

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Chapter 9 I Am Patient to His Timing

Coaching Tips

Coaching Trap

Chapter 10 In Vulnerability, I Find My Strength

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Chapter 11 In Faith I Thrive

Coaching Tips

Coaching Trap

Chapter 12 I Accept My New Path

Coaching Tips

Coaching Trap

Chapter 13 I am Authentically Me!

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Chapter 14 I Submit to God’s Way of Living!

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Chapter 15 I Joyfully Identify with My SOUL

Coaching Tips

Coaching Traps

Definitions of Terms as used in Journey to Me

Notes

1

I am Responsible

Traumatic memories create feelings, patterns of behavior, and limiting beliefs steering your choices in life. As kids, we often traveled to Mexico City to visit my mom’s family during the summers. My parents wanted to ensure they raised us proud of our Mexican heritage. July and August, we spent trekking across the mountain sides, exploring the historical significance of our culture, tasting delicacies, and swimming in the Riviera Maya.

Daddy grew up in a highly abusive home, in Monterrey, Mexico. His father lived as a raging alcoholic, emotional, physical, and mental abuser who beat up his mom in front of the seven children. Dad begged his mom to leave him after he witnessed the cruel and evil way, he kicked a sore on her foot. My grandmother begged him, Please José, anywhere else but don’t kick me there! as she lay on the floor of their home in a fetal position waiting for the next blow. When I inquired why he beat them up, dad responded, Any stupid little thing would set him off. During those years in México, men believed they were superior to women. If she didn’t cook it just the way he liked it, if she failed to iron his clothes the way he wanted them, he would hit her.

School became a struggle for dad as he coped with the abuse he received from his father and older siblings. At a young age, he took refuge at his maternal aunt’s home, Maria, or La Muñeca, the doll, as everyone lovingly called her, raised him as her own. She worked as the head of the accounting department at the most profitable brewery in Monterrey in 1950. She took her responsibility seriously for her family, even though she never married. Because of her love, dedication, and money, she made my dad the responsible and successful man he is today.

My parents met at a dance when they were 21 years old. In October 1961, the annual dance of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León for Engineers. My uncle Juan José, a recent graduate of Chemical Engineering school took Mom as his date. She vividly recalls how her older brother twirled her around the floor of a grand ballroom where two orchestras were playing tandas (a set of 5 songs) the couples danced to continuously. A couple of tandas into the dance, an Architectural student and a phenomenal dancer, shorter than her with a spit-fire personality, invited her to dance. After a few turns around, she spotted a handsome dark-haired man who seemed to follow them around the dance hall.

He would stare at me with those dark, brown, intense eyes, she remembers. He wore a brown suit with a mustard-colored long sleeve shirt and a tie.

Her brother, Juan, tapped her on the shoulder and said, Chaparrita (his pet name for my Mom) nos vamos despues de esta tanda! (Shorty, we are leaving after the next song).

She returned to their table where his friends and their dates sat. One girl informed her, Your brother is off with a girl he just met. I don’t think you are leaving just yet.

Mom Chased Me!

Although beautiful, her crystal clear heals, a gift from her dad from a recent trip to Mexico City, were killing her! She gladly sat down to join her brothers’ colleagues. The water in front of her invited a much needed refreshment.

Then she felt a presence above her as a hand extended to her Bailamos? which in English translates to Shall we dance? His voice deep and confident. Mom’s green eyes met his direct gaze and her heart fluttered. For a moment, time stood absolutely still, her heart pounding out of her chest and legs shaking with anticipation. Her hand rested on her leg to steady herself. She resisted the urge to say excitedly yes to the handsome stranger she bumped into all night on the dance floor. Who was he?

In an effort to stay dignified and attractive, she calmly took his hand and said, Si gracias. She explained, In those days we danced close together despite not knowing each other well with our heads lightly touching. Your dad was a phenomenal dancer who knew exactly how to twirl and move you on a dance floor. It felt like we were floating, so effortless and graceful.

Dad recalled this meeting differently. He said, Mom chased me! as he flashes a brilliant smile and winks at me.

Dad spent entire Sundays at my mom’s home during the seven years they dated while at medical school. My grandfather worked as a Chemical Engineer with Pemex, the Mexican state- owned petroleum company, and was a jovial man who loved to crack jokes and play