I feel like my soul had been quietly knocking on my body for some time whispering, “I have some important information to share if you could please get quiet, move aside, and let me out.” When I heard those whispers in the past, I would push them aside as ridiculous and forge forward on the path I chose.
After pitching reality shows for a couple of years and almost selling one I didn’t want to be associated with, I was offered a free, two-hour life coaching session. I jumped at the chance because I no longer wanted to pitch another show or be involved in any project until I knew who I was and why I was on the planet. When I finished the coaching session, the coach shared her intention to secure me as her client, but that she was now feeling that I should enroll at USM- The University of Santa Monica. When she said that, my body lit up. Although I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, I called and was enrolled in the two-year spiritual psychology masters program which started four days later. I went in with two questions. 1. Who am I? 2. Why am I here?
By the time I finished the 2-year program, I knew the answer to both questions: 1. I am a bright light temporarily housed in my earthsuit. 2. I am here to shine my light. I made a commitment to no longer do anything that wasn’t in line with my purpose- shining my light. For my final school project, I created 5 workshops and put them up at The Center For Living Peace in Irvine, CA. I got a good crowed of devoted regulars and really enjoyed being in front of them, sharing my wisdom and connecting. I was in my element.
After seeing me speak, one of the ladies told me about a sleep away camp for women. She said I was a perfect fit for my messages and suggested I reach out to be a speaker at the camp, so I did. The camp director told me they only hired experts, doctors, and authors. Hmmmm. I am not a doctor. I am not an author. Am I an expert? She didn’t think so, so I moved on.
I had another friend suggest that I speak at a small conference for women in Sonoma, CA. I reached out to that conference director and she told me, “We only hire experts, doctors or authors.” “I guess I need to write a book” I thought.
A USM classmate of mine, Gina Murdock, created an unbelievable conference in Aspen, Colorado called Lead With Love and had me as one of the speakers. My talk, SimpLeigh Manifesting: 5 Steps to Getting Your Heart’s Desire, was my first in front of a large audience. I was sharing the wisdom of my soul and felt in my element. The night of my talk, there was a little get together at a restaurant to raise money for a cause. I bellied up to the bar and ordered a martini. A gentleman sat next to me. I recognized his green eyes from his talk earlier in the day. I said, “Hi green eyes. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders kid, keep doing what you’re doing. You are on the right track.” I was being tongue in cheek because this guy was brilliant. I loved his engaging and fact packed talk. His name was Poonacha Machaiah who had over 20 years of global experience as a successful serial entrepreneur and business leader in Fortune 100 companies.
A week later, Poonacha called me asked if I would be the Parenting Expert on his and Deepak Chopra’s Global Wellbeing App, JIYO. Parenting Expert? Me? Did he not know that right before I picked up his call, I was screaming at my kids? Did he not know that others told me I wasn’t an expert?
Richard Branson has said, “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you are not sure you can do it, say yes. Then learn how to do it later.” I said, “Hell yes!” He informed me, “We had many people express interest in filling this position, most of whom were doctors and authors, but it is rare to see someone living what we are teaching. You are deep into parenting with your five kids and doing it with all of your heart.” I was so honored that he saw me in that light. I had five children, had learned an awful lot from each of them, and had 19 years of experience in parenting. Of course I will be the Parenting Expert.
I thought I was missing out, being at home with all of these kids while others had big established careers, and I was 50 feeling like I was just starting out. Poonacha was right, I have been knee-deep in five kids for the last 19 years. When I attended a talk a while back at the Aspen Brain Lab, I heard a speaker say, “Do what you know.” That touched me. I don’t have to reinvent myself. I have been working my whole life for this moment. The moment that presented itself when I was ready. I don’t have to write a book, take a class, or become a doctor. I can teach what I know. I already have everything inside of me that I need to succeed. Staying home with my kids was exactly what I was supposed to be doing. I had let titles, other people’s perceptions, and my own feeling of not being enough hold me back. No more!
Do you know what the definition of an expert is? A person who has a comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area. Dang it I wish I would have looked that up earlier. I am an expert! Am I perfect? No. Am I knowledge? Yes! And I believe personal life experience is the foundation where the greatest teachers teach.
We don’t need a degree, a plaque, a title, or a book to be an expert. We need a knowing inside that we are worthy, that we matter, and we have something to say that needs to be heard. From now on I will move fearlessly in doing my part to make the world a better place. No one can tell me how to do what I do or if I am qualified to do it or not. When I know my truth and my worth, I am unstoppable.
That is Freedom!
Share your gifts. Share your knowledge. Do what you know. When we allow ourselves to soar, we soar. Own your power. Own your greatness. Own your stories. And use all of it to leave your mark on this planet. Let’s light the world up with our expertise.
I am Leigh Koechner and I am an Expert.