Ever found yourself standing on the brink of a golden opportunity, but a shadow from the past holds you back? This is a poignant struggle for many of us. It's a reminder that we're human and tells a tale of our battle scars, our past hurts, and yet… the beauty of it all is that amidst the turmoil, we keep stepping forward. And today, I want to share something important with you about this journey.

We've all been hurt. We've all faced disappointments, heartaches, or letdowns. Those experiences dwell in the storeroom of our hearts, often making it challenging to move forward. They cause us to build walls around our hearts, shutting ourselves from any new opportunities or experiences that life presents.

However, remember the story of the Phoenix? How it rises from its ashes, reborn, renewed, and even more glorious? That's us – every single person reading these words. We're Phoenixes. We rise from our hurts, brighter and braver. Ask yourselves this: do you want to remain in the ashes or do you want to ascend, to make an impact, to shape your destiny?

Now, logic might argue against this. It might say, “Well, if I've been hurt before, why would I ever want to expose myself to possible hurt again?” But tell me this. Isn't it more painful to let your heart close down, becoming stiff and resistant to the inherent human experience of love, connection, personal growth?

On this journey of life, we're not meant to traverse safe spaces, but those which challenge us, bring out our true strength, and help us discover novel paths. This becomes easier when we understand that hurt, pain, failure – they're all parts of the journey to success. I personally resonated with this realization after launching my personal development company, Success Insider. There were past failures, setbacks. But believe me, it was through these strides that Success Insider found its feet.

Stepping out of my comfort zone, navigating through the challenges, I took it upon myself to set an example for others, embarking on paths less traveled. This urge led to the creation of the LMA (Life Mastery Achievers) course. A pathway designed to help others conquer their fears and limitations, it centers on replacing self-defeating behaviors with empowering ones to create a victorious life.

These are not just words on a screen, but my personal experiences. And in sharing them, my hope is to inspire you to believe in the beauty of keeping your heart open. Unboxing your heart doesn't mean giving everyone free entry, it applies to being selective with who and what you allow to impact your energy. It means being brave enough to knock down old walls for new beautiful structures. It means granting yourself permission to feel, to love, to undergo pain, learn, grow, and simply – be!

The best advice I can give you here could be summed up by the words of author C. JoyBell C., who said, “You can close your eyes to the things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to the things you don't want to feel.”

Start today. Acknowledge your past hurt, but don't let it blind you to the beauty abound. Let it serve as the compass guiding you towards self-development and wisdom. Every new stride has the potential to be another falling or a beautiful flight. The choice is ultimately yours.

So adopt a Phoenix attitude. Rise above your past, nurture your spirit, and propel yourself towards your self-defined version of success. Choose to keep your heart open, not despite your past, but because of it. As you stride forward, remember: Your heart is not just a repository of past hurts, it's also the home of resilience, strength, and unending love. Let it lead the way!

Remember, you're stronger than the shackles of your past. Take the leap and let yourself experience a vibrant life, free from the shadows, entering a world full of possibility and eagerness. This is how you step into your own power and open your heart to new strides. This is how you start winning at the game of life. This is how you become a truly successful insider.