I am proud to introduce to you our featured December Evolving Being in Action – Tess Marshall.
Tess is one of the warmest and joyful people one can ever meet, and hence it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to Tess and allow her to share her story with you.
Tess has lived such a rich life, and holds a plethora of experience. She is inspirational, motivational, and just plain joyful to be alive and share her vibrant energy with others.
I had the pleasure of “meeting” Tess over half a year ago and enjoy her delightfully stimulating writing on her site The Bold Life. Indeed Tess is bold – but bold with love and that draws people to her like a magnet.
Today Tess lives with her husband in Arizona, and aside from her writing, she offers coaching services. She is known as “The Affordable Life Coach“.
I have no doubt that Tess’ story will leave you inspired, in gratitude and moved to perhaps take action in your own life. Each one of us can be happy. Each one of us can find joy no matter what, and here is Tess sharing with all of us how she has done it over the years, and continues to do so today:
What area(s) of your spiritual/emotional life have you decided to change and why?
When I was 17 and pregnant I married my boyfriend Roger. When I was 22 years old we were parents to four daughters. My third pregnancy was twins!
Roger had two and sometimes three jobs to support us. Besides raising the girls, I went back to school and began a flower business from home. Our lives were crazy and out of control.
Recognizing this, we attended parenting classes and spiritual growth classes that our church offered. Someone recommended therapy. We committed for 6 months and made major changes in how we related to each other and our children. We went on and off for years and I tribute this to the reason we’re married today.
One of the things I did for relief was play softball on our church team. The priest at our church often practiced with us and we became good friends.
At the same time I also decided to quit smoking and replaced it with running. This gave me a positive emotional outlet. Roger and the girls soon joined me and together we entered road races on weekends. It continues to amaze me how this change effected the physical health our family!
What strategies have you implemented to change, who inspired you, person or organization, book, etc.?
Father Don convinced me to enroll in college part time when the twins entered kindergarten. This was a major turning point. I was one of ten children and only one other sibling graduated college.
I had an insatiable thirst for learning and growing spiritually. It was nine and a half years before I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts degree. At the time my daughters were in high school and I knew immediately that I wanted to go to grad school for counseling psychology. Two years later I began working as a psychologist with a specialty in substance abuse.
My friend Kay introduced me to a book, A Course in Miracles: The Text, The Workbook, The Manual for Teachers when I was struggling with parenting my four teenagers! Roger and I attended a study group and made several new friends all on the same spiritual path. ACIM teaches inner peace through forgiveness. It also teaches that a miracle is a shift in perception.
Some of my favorite lessons are:
“There is nothing to fear.
I can see this differently.”
“I place my future in the hands of God.
Let miracles replace all grievances.
I am not a victim of the world I see.”
“My mind holds only what I think with God.
Love is the way I walk in gratitude.”
Students of A Course In Miracles are referred to as happy learners. Don’t you love it?
Today I know if I’m unhappy or don’t have inner peace the problem is in my mind not with anyone else. Applying the daily lessons helped our marriage stay strong and got us through many difficult situations.
How have the changes benefited your overall life, happiness up to this point?
Soon after I was introduced to ACIM, Marianne Williamson authored, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”. I read it, called Roger at work and said, “I just finished reading Marianne’s book, I could have written that book!” He said, “Tess there is nobody stopping you from picking up your pencil!”
I believed him and from that conversation, my book, “Flying by the Seat of My Soul” was born. I self-published and have received so many emails, cards and letters from people telling me how much my book helped them make changes of their own.
Eventually my counseling clients wanted business advice from me, which eventually led to life coaching. I also began speaking professionally to both businesses and women’s groups.
With counseling I helped people on a deeper level, one on one. With speaking and writing I can reach a bigger audience and don’t spend all my time in one chair anymore.
It was our dream to live in a warmer climate someday. We moved from Michigan to Arizona two years ago. We said good bye to our family, friends, businesses and support system. It took more than 25 years to finally make the move.
Miraculously a year before we left, one daughter changed careers from a teacher to a flight attendant for Southwest. Because of this we can fly free anywhere in the US whenever we please.
The other people who have impacted me the most are my family. In January 2009, we will celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary with Roger. Roger has given me a life time of support. He has always believed in my dreams.
Our daughters and their families have given me incredible opportunities to grow, the biggest lesson being how to love without conditions.
My grandchildren have offered me a love like no other. They fill me with joy from head to toe! I have no regrets.
What are the next steps or goals in your life as an evolving being?
My next steps or goals as an evolving being:
I work for God. My job is to show up, have fun and do as much good as possible for as many people as possible everyday.
What message do you have for others who are struggling or embarking on a similar journey?
I would encourage everyone to do their part in making the world a better place. We place too much emphasis on how much money we make. When we put our emphasis on how loving we are, everything else falls into place.
It’s important to focus on what is right with our world. The media would like us to believe we’re on the verge of destruction, but I disagree. When we rid ourselves of fear, we rid the world of fear as well. Any change we make within will be noticeable without.
13 Comments to “Evolving Being In Action: Tess Marshall”
Tess,
First off…I love all the pictures you’ve shared here! And then, guess what else? We were married in January too! All part of being a little different (and the rental hall was a whole bunch cheaper!). We had a snowstorm!!
Tess, you are filled with so much goodness, and I think that’s because of how grounded you are in your own spirituality. That shines through here! And what I’m also always so moved by is the depth of your honesty and authenticity – it is so refreshing. You ARE making the world a better place. I’m better because our paths have crossed, because you have come into my life.
Your smile and enthusiasm for life are contagious!! I am blessed to know you…
Dearest Tess,
How much fun is it that i just read your post at Megans and now here I am getting to know you better.
I knew you of sorts…but didnt know YOU.
The you that’s bold loving and compassionate is apparent in your writing. But the You that’s also human with ups and downs, I know now. I am truly blessed to have met you.
I am pleasantly surprised at the similarities in our lifes motives…This gives me mentor to run to incase i have any problems…Yay for me :)
I hope you dont mind if i email you needing advice :)
Oh…by the way youre looking so Diva Happy in the pictures. Your peaceful and happy energy just radiates through..the pictures..and your writing.
Hi Evita,
Thank you for interviewing Tess as the Evolving being. Love your choice…like i said before..we do have similar likes :)
Lots of love to you both :)
Tess – a warm thank you from my heart to yours for sharing your story! As I mentioned above you are an amazing being, and it is really my pleasure to introduce you and your story to more people who can benefit in whatever way that may be, from your inspirational being – YOU.
@ LANCE – Many thanks Lance for stopping by to share in Tess’ story, she definitely is a gem!
@ ZEENAT – With a huge smile on my face now, I say we definitely do :)
Thank you Zeenat for sharing your beautiful thoughts and the feedback.
What a wonderful story. I love to hear the back story of bloggers that I follow.
I love that Tess gave up smoking for running. By replacing a bad habit with a good you probably feel 10x better.
Evita, I’m so glad you highlighted Tess. I never would have known this great information. I love the concept of evolved being of the month. That’s a great concept. I might have to borrow that for my blog.
Hi Tess
I followed Lance’s tweet here. Your story is touching, and your last two paragraphs are powerful. “We place too much emphasis on how much money we make. When we put our emphasis on how loving we are, everything else falls into place. When we rid ourselves of fear, we rid the world of fear as well.” I agree that loving without conditions is the key to greater joy.
Tess, what a beautiful glimpse into your soul. This perspective inspires everyone to listen to the heart and choices that resonate with inner self. You remind people they need not focus on faith per se, but can realize the power of being willing to shift perspective at different stages of physical existence. Fulfillment is relative. Your story shared is truly delightful.
Lance,
Oh yes those January weddings in the Midwest. We had the worst blizzard and it was so cold our cars wouldn’t start. Of course my Aunt and Uncle and cousins drove from Indiana along the lake shore to get there. That’s love and maybe a bit of craziness.
Lance I agree with you on being grounded in spirituality. It’s the way I choose to live my life and I’m glad your on the same journey. Shine on buddy. Oh and what date were you married?
Zeenat,
I’m honored you want to ask me for advice. Anytime my friend. My clients love to laugh with me so you must laugh at all and any problems if you choose me. It makes our earthly load easier to bear;)
Evita,
I love you. Enough said.
Karl,
You could have the evolved employee of the month. You could solicit prizes from your blogging buddies and others you admire. Great idea?
Brenda,
I’m lovin it and lovin you for stopping by. One of the blessings of blogging is meeting so many wonderful people who are out there making a difference. No wonder news papers are shutting down. We’re tired of hearing the same old fearful junk. We have important work to do…loving the world into a happier and more loving place.
Liara
I have to shift my perspective several times a day to stay peaceful. I’m so grateful to have someone of your wisdom enjoy my story. Namaste!
I didn’t think it was possible, but I like Tess more and more every time I hear from or about her. Gosh, this interview was superb. Evita – thank you! And Tess, thank you for sharing more of yourself. I love how committed you are to others – your family, your clients, strangers… And it seems you don’t stop to ask if something is possible for you or not: you just leap right in. I really admire that! I find that I’m more cautious – a wait & see kind of gal. In the meantime, I envy those who are fearless.
The more I know people like you, though, the more I recognize my own seeds of fearlessness germinating. My day will come, and I can’t wait to share the news with everyone who inspired me, including you!
@ KARL – Great to hear your feedback Karl! I really think this idea of featuring and “Evolving Being” each month shows us that we each have such unique journeys, and many ways we can overcome obstacles, find happiness, success, peace, joy or whatever the case may be!
@ BRENDA – Thank you for stopping by Brenda to read Tess’ story!
@ LIARA – Hi Liara – wonderful to hear your thoughts on Tess’ story.
@ MEGAN – My pleasure :)
Evita, I just knew you’d do this: interview Tess. :) I’m so fortunate to say I know Tess in person! She is exactly as she projects! …beautifully glowing, happy, positive, honest, forthcoming, and so very bold. What’s not to love!?
Tess, Brenda beat me to the punch. Those last two paragraphs are awesome!
When we put our emphasis on how loving we are, everything else falls into place. This is the key to everything about life. When we chose anything other than some form of love, we feel the lack of love, and that “loss” is felt as suffering.
It’s important to focus on what is right with our world. It’s just so simple, isn’t it? When we choose to see the goodness, it’s easier to shift to feeling the love. And we’re right back at that first quote. ;)
Tess, did you get these from ACIM? I just haven’t been able to read it, yet. LOL, it’s all those big words, dagnabbit. But with friends and role models like you, who needs the book? THANK YOU. Thank you for sharing yourself so lovingly with all of us. You are so refreshing! You brighten my days, that’s for sure.
Giant hugs of love,
~ Julie
Hi Evita and Tess
This says it all for me; ” I work for God. My job is to show up, have fun and do as much good as possible for as many people as possible everyday.”
I love people who are saying it how it is and therefore I love Tess.
Her book is a show case of how life can be when you approach it with authenticity and integrity and how wonderful life can be when you dare to let go of old beliefs.
I say, Tess, you are on an upwards staircase to joy.
Love to you both, Wilma
Oh Tess, thank you so much for sharing your touching and inspiring story here. You are living proof that we can do whatever we set our minds to, despite our circumstances.
I have to confess that i sometimes get bored to learn the whole thing but i feel you may add some value. Bravo !