Every week I get to work with some of the most amazing people! Students who have been walking the Rare Faith path with a commitment and hunger to learn, experience, understand, and apply what they're learning to achieve their goals and experience better results in their lives. They face challenges and setbacks and together we talk about how they can think about it for the best possible outcomes, and we're all better for it as we watch the effects of their lawful thinking play out.

But sometimes it takes time for the results to be evident. It's a living, breathing, act of faith to trust that if we will continue to respond lawfully, no matter what life throws our way, everything will work out for the best, and in fact, usually better than we could have imagined.

A couple weeks ago, Stephanie Farnsworth from my Founder's Odyssey group shared a moment with me that doesn’t have a clean ending yet. So, what I'm going to give you here is not a breakthrough, not a testimonial, just… the disruption.

And those are important to share, too, because if you’ve ever felt like the thing you were working toward suddenly vanished—or the path you thought God confirmed just… stopped—then you know how disorienting that can be.

But what I invite you to do is to watch. We don't know how this story is going to end yet, we don't know where this disruption is going to take her. But I have full confidence that because of the way she is handling it, the lawful way she is choosing to think about it, she is going to be led to something wonderful, some unexpected destination that she might not have ever considered before. I have no doubt that it's going to be beautiful, and that one that she will look back from it with gratitude for the rocky path that led her there.

Here is our exchange. See if you can identify the laws and principles she's aligning with, in the way she's talking about what happened:

From Stephanie:

Leslie,

I received some disheartening news that makes some major shifts in my goal for taking this course. I have had several adjustments along the way, but this latest shift changes the trajectory of my entire perceived life purpose and I am afraid to say my goal statement doesn’t apply any longer and I don’t have a new goal yet to work on.

I was working toward therapy licensure and am in a post master’s program in marriage and family therapy (graduating in July). I found out today that Arizona’s Behavioral Board won’t accept my previous master’s degree I received 20 years ago due to my practicum not meeting their current standards. This would require for me to obtain a second master’s degree, just to redo the practicum class. Which programs only allow if enrolled in their masters program.

Without working towards licensure, and without a future therapeutic practice and career to work towards, I really am lost. Studying about goals without one and without a goal to read each day, trusting what I believed was revelation, feels really painful right now. I don’t have answers yet and I am letting myself grieve and also working to stay calm to know what to do next. I guess, I just wanted to ask if you believe I should stay in the class without a big goal to work towards. Will having one be necessary for me to earn credit for the course?

Any direction would be so helpful. Thank you so much again for the wonderful and life changing work you do.

Have a great day,
Stephanie

From Me:

Oh Stephanie I am so sorry. This is heartbreaking.

What comes to mind almost immediately though, is that detours like this always have some kind of divine purpose. The news is just dots on a screen, or ink on a paper. The pain is in the world of meaning that seems connected to it. What hurts is the story about it.

Just remember that because of the Law of Polarity, something devastating must contain a benefit equal in magnitude.

No, you do not have to keep this as your big goal to earn credit for the course... it's about applying the principles no matter what curveballs are thrown your way. In my opinion, there is no better place to be, than with a group of friends striving to glean heaven's benefits out of every setback, especially when you're trying to hold onto the truths that will keep you on track for the best possible outcomes.

Those outcomes aren't always what we hope they will be, but no matter what happens, doing our part guarantees the best possible can and will be realized. I'm confident that one day you'll look back on this disappointment with gratitude and amazement at how it moved you, and where it sent you instead. I don't say this to minimize the blow or discount how hard or disorienting it is... I just encourage you to grieve like you are, while also staying curious as to why this might just be the best thing that could have ever happened to you right now.

It's normal to adjust goals mid-process. As our cycling coach Layne Gneiting says, “The detour IS the path.” In other words, you have a destination in mind, but something happens that takes it away. So there's a new path, a detour, but it's not an accident. Go see where it leads, with curiosity, without resistance, and with great expectations.

Here are some thoughts that might be helpful reminders right now:

How adversity moves us:

https://www.rarefaith.org/blog/and-along-came-a-spider 

(Similar ideas are in this podcast episode: https://www.rarefaith.org/blog/59-adversity-seeds-equal-greater-benefit)

On choosing a goal:

https://www.rarefaith.org/blog/i-dont-know-what-i-want

(It mentions Genius Bootcamp... you already have access to that, in case you feel like supplementing your Mindset Mastery coursework with what's in there.)

As for Mindset Mastery... I encourage you to revisit your long term life's purpose goal... there are many, many things you will do on your way from here to there. Therapy licensure was just one of the things that were ahead of you, and without it, there's still a world of opportunities to discover. Your next focus might be to get clear on how you want to feel, how you're helping people, how you're feeling fulfilled and on purpose... and see if you can envision feeling all that without the licensure you thought it would require.

I'm afraid I'm rambling now... just know that you're on my mind and in my heart, and I am fully confident that you'll remember this experience with awe and amazement at the shifted path that the Lord has already got in mind for you. This hiccup did not surprise Him. I'm sure you know that.

Take the time you need to feel it all. You're still going to help people, and going through this is qualifying you to have an even more profound impact on a whole new segment of society. Empathy is hard-won, and an experience that builds our capacity for it is a gift. I know it doesn't feel like one right now, but it will.

I believe in you. 
 Leslie

From Stephanie:

Thank you so much for this sweet and reassuring email. It was exactly what I needed, so thank you for being an angel for me tonight. I will look back again on the long term goal and see if there is some direction available. I know God will make it all for my good in the end. I am grateful to have these inspired principles to lead me to my next field of growth and to a refined dream.

Sending appreciation and joy, 
Stephanie 

From Me:

Hi Stephanie, I've been thinking about you and hope you're finding some new and interesting ideas to fill the void that was recently created in your plans. 

In thinking about our conversation, I know there are a lot of people in our community who experience similar detours and I would love to share your very lawful response. Even if things haven't worked out yet or if the new direction isn't clear, the way you have been processing the news is inspiring, and I think it could give others an example of what it looks like to align... 

Let me know what you think... Thanks so much.
Leslie

From Stephanie:

Hi Leslie,

Thank you so much for checking in. Your heart is evident in all you do.

I am not sure I have the words to fully explain how I am processing it, but I will certainly try. First, it brought up some old wounds and thought patterns I am currently having to battle. The difference this time is that I recognize the tactics. Before, I was unaware and caught off guard by deep beliefs. Now, when those thoughts come up and the emotions follow, I rebut them with real experiences where God has guided, restored, rescued, or redirected me for good. It is not a quick fix, but it is movement toward good and invites vibrational shifts.

I also keep reminding myself of the good God has done. Even when this moment feels uncertain, I believe something is opening, because that is the promise that follows every closed door. There does not seem to be a path of growth for anyone without some pain or setbacks. For some paths, the pain and setbacks are many. I am, however, grateful I have the mindset framework. It is helping me take a proactive stance.

The mind is a tricky little thing. My mind says I am a victim; I respond, 'I am not a victim'. The mind says God has abandoned me; I answer, 'God is still loving, constant, and good'. The mind says God wants others to feel loved and have their dreams come true and not me; I reply, 'He allows me to hurt, wander, and figure things out because He trusts me to remain faithful until my dreams can be realized'. So for now, I am in the battle, but I believe unseen help draws closer. I wait to feel it, and while I am waiting, I continue to hope.

A particularly difficult part right now is the assignment to state my goal repeatedly each day. Since I do not have a clear one yet, I have felt guided, for now, to use the statement that 'God is abundance and that He will provide'. It feels like a bridge until more clarity comes. I am okay with bridges, as they provide a place to stand. ...

Just in case I do not say it enough, I am grateful to have these mindset principles to rely on, even if I have little experience using them. What better way to learn and believe in them than by putting them to work?

To answer your question, I do not mind you using my name or this circumstance. It is not nice and tidy or pretty, but maybe that is what makes it relatable. In this story, I am on chapter 13, and perhaps in chapter 16 is where my goals come together and something even better than I imagined unfolds. I know I will sit in awe of God’s grace whenever it does. I look forward to having my ceiling raised in my understanding of His generosity and abundance.

I hope you are having a wonderful end,
Stephanie

From Me:

Hi Stephanie,

Thanks for your response. About “stating your goal” each day, there are two ways to accomplish its purpose: either through repetition (as the lessons instruct), OR through a quality feeling moment. If you would prefer to take a moment each day to imagine and feel yourself as if you were already in that future moment: happy and grateful that you gained the clarity and direction you needed to get there—that counts. You can consider the assignment completed each day.

Since you’re still discovering what the new goal is, let your long-term life’s purpose hold that spot (the one where you are on the last day of your life, preparing to meet your Maker). That can do a lot to help surface a shorter-term goal to bridge the gap. ...

Thanks again. See you soon :)
Leslie

______________

I'm grateful Stephanie allowed me to share the real and raw "messy middle" - so that I can assure you, or anyone else who needs to hear it, that this can be exactly what it looks like to walk the Rare Faith path, challenges and all, even when it isn't the triumphant version yet.

It’s being in the middle of a disruption, noticing the thoughts, pushing back, holding on... building a bridge instead of forcing clarity before it's ready to reveal itself.

I love how she said:

“I am okay with bridges, as they provide a place to stand.”

A lot of people stall out right there. They think if they don’t have a clear goal, they can’t move. Or that if they don't see the fruit right away, they didn't "do it right". Or worse—they assume the lack of clarity means something went wrong. But sometimes the best thing you can do is exactly this:

Stay in the work. Keep your head on straight. Recognize and acknowledge what’s happening internally. Refuse the victim story when it shows up, and stand on whatever “bridge” you’ve been given until the next step reveals itself.

Detours don't break the path. They are the path... and eventually, if you stay with it long enough, you’ll see exactly where the Lord wanted to take you all along.