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Work in progress

Work in progress

Last updated on: July 4, 2026 at 6:25 am by Ann Trip

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Work in progress 2026-07-04T06:25:28+00:00 Ann Trip

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Progress

Fear PHOTO BY AMBOO WHO?

As I write this two big events have just finished up. One was from the UUA and the other was my own personal achievement. Yes, that is right, the UUA’s General Assembly wrapped up a week ago on Sunday. I served as a delegate for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair and volunteered to run tech. I am a work in progress and you will see what I mean shortly.

My personal achievement is a seven day challenge by Tim Han. Of course he is trying his best to promote his Life Mastery Achievers (LMA) program, but the challenge was just what I needed for now.

See, I am stuck in a rut, and this challenge is supposed to help me get rid of it.

Well, I told my elder, the Rev. Foxxy Pullen about this program that cost me only about $5. Additionally, I explained how for $2 more I was able to get a morning and evening meditation. She quickly asked me if I had forgotten how to write my own meditations. I responded no, that these are different. First of all, everyone’s meditations are different, as we learned in her class in Three Fires Grove. Secondly, these are breathing meditations and go hand in hand with the course. Of course these mediations are supposed to be done twice a day for a month, not just seven days.

I quickly figured out what he was teaching me that I had learned already from my elder, Foxxy’s late husband, Herm. Well my elder, Foxxy, came to the intro class with me and pointed that out to me. Most of it at least, and a bit differently. A good refresher though for someone who has gone backwards like I have recently done**.** Progress forward and not backwards. Hermetics 101, a course created and developed by Herm, touched on what Han taught us.

Herm taught us to never use the word “can’t” in our vocabulary, ever. Han taught us the most harmful sentence is, “I already know that.” These two I believe make a lot of sense. Sure not the same message but the same concept. They are both negative thinking, both close your mind to growing and both are self-sabotaging. One stops you before you even try. The other turns off any thinking before you get a chance to learn something differently. Both set you up for failure. Toxic thinking will always mess you up overall.

I believe if Herm was still alive, that he would like Han and they would have some great intellectual conversations. This class, although it taught me what I already knew, it was a good refresher. Sometimes we need that, to let it click back in. These are great lessons by both of them.

Progress

Procrastination BY SCHU

I realize now that I can’t entirely blame my parents for putting me in this rut. A lot of it is due to procrastination. I figured out that fear contributes to that very well. I know that I am being vulnerable now by telling the world this but, hey, someone needs to get the word out. Once I get out of this rut I can finally progress forward.

Fear is cruel, and it will prevent you from doing a lot of stuff. Leading a ritual, spellwork and so on are some Pagan examples. You need to be confident in these areas. If not, whatever you do, won’t work.

One mundane example that came to mind was my fear of dogs. I had such an unexplainable fear of dogs. No matter how big or small they all frightened me to the point that my throat would close up. Yes, that’s right, I say had as in past tense thanks to Hammy, the music director’s late dog. Hammy helped me get over that fear. He pushed his head into my leg and

Progress

My Golden Retriver – Lara PHOTO BY IKOPIX

then laid down with his belly up. I don’t know anyone who could resist giving belly rubs.

Although, over confidence is just as bad. You need to know just what your limitations are, if not you will still set yourself up to fail. Don’t take on more than you can handle, however don’t sell yourself short either. The right combination of knowing what you can handle and what you are not able to yet is key. Then you will begin to progress onwards and upwards.

So my take away is the Rise Above Challenge reminded me of the free Hermetics 101 course. It was perfect timing as I just lost my good paying part time job. My friend passed this video post on to me by Tim Han. At the end of the video he asked us to come to his meeting online the next day. The meeting introduced his LMA course. However, a few days later I received an email inviting me to take the Rise Above Seven Day Challenge. It was extremely worth taking the challenge.

I seriously want to take his LMA program. Funds are not there though. I already owe both my parents money and a good friend due to a few car accidents. I don’t know where I am getting the $500 cash deductible from. If you are on the fence you should take the seven day challenge. At least this should begin the process for you to get you out of the rut.

I was lucky though and received a sponsorship as of this past Tuesday to reduce the cost even further. I’ll figure out how to pay the monthly fee. It’s a hell of a lot cheaper than it was before receiving the discount. I know it will be worth it in the end. LMA will help me get back to who I was before the slip up. Hopefully, most likely I will be a better fuller me. A me not stuck in a rut, not procrastinating, with full confidence working in a job I want.

I intend to share my progress with you all.

Spiritual Practice

fear

Life Mastery Achievers

LMA

Rev. Foxxy Pullen

Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Montclair

UUA

Previous Post

June 2, 2026

When I first knew I was a Pagan

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