Embracing Change, Creating New Realities with Ashish Kothari and Shannon Wallis

Do you ever feel like you're trapped in a cycle, where your dreams and aspirations seem just out of reach, no matter how hard you try? This feeling of stagnation can be disheartening, leaving you wondering if achieving your goals is even possible. This sense of helplessness can eat away at your confidence, making your aspirations seem more like distant fantasies than achievable goals. 

However, there's a transformative truth waiting to be embraced: anything is possible if we welcome change. Embracing change is the key to unlocking new realities, opening doors we never knew existed. 

In this article, Ashish and Shannon Wallis, Founder of Cascade, discuss how we can all shift our mindset to see change not as a hurdle, but as an opportunity to manifest and create the life we desire. 

“Walk in the world with a mindset that anything is possible. Ask yourself, what do you want? What is getting in the way of having it today? Then believe that it can be true, even if it’s not true yet for you.” – Shannon Wallis

The Joy in Being Present

In the pursuit of success, it's easy to get lost in achievements and forget what really brings us joy. Often, we're so focused on future goals that we overlook the importance of being present.

This constant focus on what's next can leave us feeling unfulfilled, even when we achieve our goals. 

Like Shannon Wallis highlighted, We may find ourselves on a never-ending treadmill of striving for more, missing out on the true happiness that lies in complete presence. We might achieve academic excellence or professional milestones, yet feel an emptiness because we've lost sight of the journey and the present moments that truly matter.

“Happiness begins with presence. It’s really about those moments when you are completely present in your own body and self, and you're with others in the community who are also completely present.” – Shannon Wallis

The key is to shift our mindset. By embracing change and focusing on being present, we can discover a deeper form of happiness. We need to be where our feet are, fully engaged in the now. Remember that the present is an opportunity to be fully alive in every moment.

Achieving Goals Through Belief and Manifestation

Many of us find ourselves doubting our capabilities, especially when starting from a challenging position. This doubt can be paralyzing, making our dreams and goals seem unattainable and leaving us questioning whether we can ever overcome our hurdles. It's a position Shannon knew all too well, growing up in the bottom 10 percent of the socioeconomic ladder, yet dreaming of attending a prestigious university. The turning point for Shannon, and for many of us, is embracing the power of belief and manifestation. 

Here’s a simple trick Shannon shares on how you can manifest your dreams into reality:

1. Believe in Your Dreams: Cultivate a strong belief in the potential of your dreams. Believe that anything is possible. If others can achieve their desires, so can you.

2. Write Them Down: When you write down what you're dreaming about, it helps make it more real. It's like turning your thoughts into a plan.

3. Talk About Your Dreams: Vocalizing your goals gives them more power and strengthens your commitment to them.

4. Get Support: You don't have to do it all by yourself. Getting help and encouragement from people around you is a big part of making your dreams happen.

Anything is possible with the right mindset, as Shannon’s journey to Northwestern University and beyond shows. It’s not just about wishful thinking, it’s about seeing what you want, writing about it, speaking it, and most importantly, believing in it. So, let's start embracing change and shift our beliefs that we can achieve our goals, no matter where we start.

"We the Change"

Many of us often feel like we're going through our journeys alone, shouldering our challenges and striving for success independently. This can lead to a sense of isolation, making our goals seem more daunting. But achieving our goals shouldn’t mean disconnecting. Shannon’s story is a testament that with the right support, we can achieve anything.

Recognize that our successes are the result of collective effort, and sharing our visions and gratitude with others opens up a world of possibilities and support. This is what the concept of "We the Change" stands for. It's about understanding that anything is possible when we acknowledge the role of others in our journey toward embracing change. By adopting a mindset of gratitude and collective effort, we can achieve more than we ever thought possible, together.

A Collective Approach to Embracing Change

Facing change can be tough. Many of us face our own metaphorical mountains and long journeys, unsure of how to begin. We often get stuck, feeling unhappy with where we are but not sure how to move forward. 

However, Shannon’s key message in her book "We the Change" offers powerful solutions, and one of them is the DVFR model or formula for change. This formula highlights that for successful change, we need to combine dissatisfaction with our current state, a clear vision for the future, and actionable first steps to bridge the gap.

Change requires a collective effort. Whether it's personal growth or professional development, by engaging with our supporters and believing in the collective power of "we," we can start making impactful changes. This approach is not just about overcoming challenges; it's about harnessing them to create new realities and manifest the lives we desire.

Conclusion

Many of us face a common challenge: the fear of change and the discomfort it brings. We get stuck in our comfort zones, hesitant to step out and embrace new possibilities. Ashish and Shannon Wallis offer a powerful approach to overcoming these hurdles: start by walking in the world with a belief that anything is possible. Look within and identify what your soul truly desires, focusing on what you want rather than what's in your way. 

“We can be the change. Even though there might be external factors, the responsibility for change lies with us. Anything is possible because you have the ability to make the change by being the change.” – Ashish Kothari

Often, the biggest obstacles are internal—our beliefs about unworthiness or lack of support. Remember, as Ashish points out, when you blame external factors, you often overlook the role you play in your own change. Embracing change starts with you. By asking yourself what’s getting in the way and acknowledging your own power to overcome these challenges, you can begin to make meaningful changes in your life.