Thanks in advance for any likes, follows, shared stories, comments, feedback or reviews . I always appreciate when my followers or clients get involved with my social media posts, wellness challenges, and partake in good conversation. My name is Susan, but since my husband passed away in 2020, I chose to use my last name Riley professionally as my first. I did this so I can always carry my late husbands name with me front and center, no matter where my life takes me. Together we achieved more than we ever thought possible as kids. We survived things we probably never should have and thrived beyond words even in the darkest times. That’s what Rise With Riley is all about and I carry his name first because for me it represents all our struggles, our success and everything that built us up into who we became. It is how I carry his memory and what inspires me to press forward on the worst of days.
I was lucky to marry the man of my childhood dreams and my best friend. We didn’t always have it easy but together we were pretty unstoppable. So, many people in this life never find half of the support, love and dedication we found in each other. Together we grew past so many of our foundational issues. We taught each other all we knew to be the best we could be. Shared our strength when the other had none left and carried each other when we had no choice. For all of the above we were blessed to have found each other.
You may be wondering, who I am and why is it that I post the things I do?
Well, who I am is a charismatic, free spirited, independent thinker! At times I can be quite the wild card or just your basic run of the mill lady trying to get by like everyone else. I am one with a big heart and a love for watching things come to life and grow! Once upon a time, I was a force to reckon with but then I lost my best friend and I fell hard. Becoming a widow broke me in ways I could never fully describe let alone express to the fullest extent. I’ve spent a long time trying to not play the victim card or allow it to take over my identity but the reality is that being a widow has become my truth. Who I once was is yesterday and who I am now is my today! Some days I may appear weaker than others but I assure you on those days, I am channeling the most strength! The only ones that can understand that are other widows or widowers that wake up every day in spite of all the reasons they don’t want to. This life can get the best of you and I don’t care who you are there are times you will fall and it will take everything you have to drag yourself back up to your feet! That’s the struggle but the reward is what comes after you pick yourself back up and dust yourself off. It is when you push yourself past every limit you or whoever around you claimed you couldn’t surpass that you claim your honor and gold.
You may find I’m a bit un-traditional because I say things some wouldn’t. I am bold, raw and quite frankly whether you like me or not I’m going to press forward. I’m going to continue to rise because that’s who I am. Even on my worst day kicking and screaming, dragging my feet all the way to the finish line. I’m going to meet you there because it’s against my nature to quit or i’ll be there waiting for you because if you’re part of my circle I never leave anyone behind. That is if I find you worth keeping around. My late husband Jimmy called me his little freedom fighter because I was a free bird that was boundless and full of life. I fight for those that don’t have the strength to fight for themselves, I speak up when others don’t, and I push people that don’t know they have what it takes to push themselves.
If you asked my siblings they would tell you that I am relentless and I never do what anyone tells me to, especially since Jimmy passed. My mom if she was alive would say, “I had her heart” but what she really meant was I had her dedication and drive to be there for the people I loved or people that I felt were the underdog. She called me ” The Family Pitbull ” because I have always been a great protector. My dad would probably say “I’m a pain in the ass” but really I’m his female mirror image which says a lot! In truth, I pray I always find the strength he has to always find a way to achieve the impossible. I am a dreamer, a fighter, and a survivor with a fire in her heart that never seems to die. I have dreams and aspirations that most people would find bizarre. I have desires that drive my spirit to do the most spontaneous things but that’s what life is about we are here for the adventure of it all. How would we learn or grow beyond the average human if we always did the same thing and fell in line with everyone else. I’ve never been much for society standards but that doesn’t mean I stand against all of them either. I may be a little rough around the edges and even challenge the standard however I am quite the traditional woman at times. Which frequently leaves people perplexed with who I am or how I choose to live.
That’s who I am, now who are you?
Why are you here? What are you looking for and how can I be of service to you? What are your hopes, dreams, aspirations or goals? What are your wants, needs or desires? What makes you tick? What sets your soul and fire or drives your passion? What are you seeking in life? What are you made of and what makes you special? Are you happy in your current living situation? Are you seeking more out of life? Are you thinking about making a change for yourself? Are you feeling lost or withdrawn from life? Are you also a widow just trying to find your grounding or will to live again? These are my questions for you because more than likely these are some of the questions in your head that brought you here. If not something I posted must have caught your eye and I’d love to hear what it was so comment it below. Also always feel free in any of my pages or posts to share your own experience or story. You never know when your story can help a stranger or inspire someone to overcome their own struggles. We are all on this earth to help each other grow. We are all the squeaky wheels society, we all have a part to play in this life so feel free to share.
The things you may hear me say or see me do are not always things that would be considered socially acceptable or possibly even professional for a life coach trying to gain clients. However, I’m not your average life coach. I’m not out here trying to make money off your hard work or labor. I’m not trying to brainwash you into some program that you’re not ready for either. I am also sure as hell not here to be your friend because if I’m being honest I already have a wide spread of great ones from all over the world that I wish I had more time for. Naturally, I’d love for you to like me but whether you do or not has no real effect on me because I’m not here to gain a popular opinion. I don’t need anyone’s direction either. I’m here because I’m empowered enough to stand up and say the things most don’t! I do what I do because underneath everything I am. I’m not scared to be exactly who I am or whatever I want to be in any given moment in spite of what others think! Maybe I’m not for you as a life coach but for whatever reason you’re here so let me ask you again. What brought you to my page and how can I help you?
Are you looking to be inspired, motivated, empowered to rise above all that is holding you back or perhaps just looking for some crazy beautiful life solutions? Are you looking to do some positive soul searching, self-discovery or gain some new skills that will help you better manage your life? No matter why you’re here, I am happy you are because the first step of success is seeking answers you do not have or opening doors that don’t always make sense but happened to intrigue you enough to embark on new paths that could you expand your horizons to new and exciting growth.
That right there is why I am doing what I do! It’s why no matter how far I fall or how many times I contemplate leaving this industry thinking I don’t always belong I come back. The thing is some one has to ask the hard questions. Someone has to be the disturbance within the system that shakes things up. I’m no rebel but I am also not much of a square! I have always been a natural born leader whether I wanted to or not. Every time I have ever settled with being a follower it was just because I was tired, I needed a time out or a break from responsibility. In the end ultimately the process never lasts long. I always grow bored of following people unless they challenge me or have something to teach me. If you inspire me though I will follow you to the moon and back or at the very least always keep you close. There is a huge need for both followers and leaders in this world without both types of people we would be at war constantly. Life needs balance, it needs it in order for things to run smoothly. No one person ever truly means more than the next or is better. We are all important to the system one way or another.
My favorite thing to do in this life besides writing, and snorkeling is gardening. I love gardening because to me there is nothing more beautiful than watching a seed grow, transform and rise into a healthy plant. Other than watching one that is on its last limbs, wilting far beyond repair being able to find its spark for life or just enough nourishment to thrive once more. To some life coaching is a source of money, power, and professionalism. To me it is an art, it is a skill that I have picked up through life experience and the eagerness to learn everything I can about life or how best to live. So, If you want to walk this journey with me follow me to find crazy beautiful life solutions, self-help, to be inspired, motivated, empowered, to be seen, heard and to rise with me beyond anything that is holding you back! Let yourself be free to be who you were always meant to. Shoot for the stars without hesitation because whether you know it or not just being here reading this right now you already stepped out of the small box you were standing in before you got here. So, take the next steps and take advantage of all I bring to the table in front of you. Maybe my work or wisdom can help you exceed your expectations of yourself. I believe in you, I have faith that you are here for a reason and I know you are also capable of anything you set your mind on achieving.
Growth comes in all shapes and sizes!
Success of any kind can be achieved with baby steps or great big leaps. The actions you take are yours to decide. So, move at your own pace because even though society makes everything seem like a race. In this life you have the power to set your very own standards. Sometimes that may not always win you friends or as many likes as you may like but in the end it will bring you the type of peace and happiness you deserve most. Take some time today to set yourself up with some new goals! Ask yourself the questions that will help you to find the actual answers that you seek. Try to recognize that in this life there is no short cut along the journey of life. There will always be road blocks and time for pause but as long as you keep your focus you will always find your way to the life you desire. Be honest with yourself, feed your soul, your spirit, your mind and body what it needs first. Then when you’re thru with all of the above find the balance it’s going to take to help you live the life of your dreams.
The funny thing about life that so many people don’t understand is unless you know how to love, care, respect, and support yourself how could you possibly do any of the above for anyone else. Everything in life is trial and error, we all make mistakes and most of us do our best giving the knowledge we have to survive. The thing I hate to see most is when someone has so much potential but due to lack of guidance or knowledge never knew how much they really had. They never knew they didn’t have to settle or accept less than they deserved. Too many people in this world sit in place out of fear of change, the unknown and just the general lack of understanding that it is their human right and duty to rise above where they are. There’s nothing wrong with finding a comfortable spot of happiness but life around us is always developing and if your not keeping up with the pace for yourself sometimes you fall behind and short of where you want to be. You have what it takes to be who ever you want. I’m sure you have survived more times than you give yourself credit for it happens to the best of us. However, if you follow me and I inspire you then my hope is to help you see yourself and all you are capable of. Not by pushing you in any one direction but by allowing you to watch me step by step to rise from where I am to where I am going. By sharing my ups and downs because I’m not the only one going thru them. By sharing my wisdom, my experience and knowledge I hope I can be the resource that lights your path out of your darkness into your own version of personal success and freedom. Thanks for reading once more and I hope you have a blessed day and found some inspiration here today!
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Life Is Too Short to Waste! EMPOWER Yourself to Pursue the Life You Most DESIRE! 