By Michelle Tooker ’07,’10M

Do you ever stop and think about what’s hindering you from pursuing your passions? Do you want to become more self-aware and observant? These questions and others are addressed by Teressa Moore Griffin ’78 in her first book, LIES That Limit: Uncover the Truth of Who You Really Are.

“LIES That Limit aims to give people a deeper awareness of themselves so they can get out of their own way and not be the force limiting them from becoming who they are meant to be,” she says.

LIES are defined as the Labels, Illusions, Excuses and Stories that keep many of us from pursuing our passions. When we recognize these LIES we are able to move beyond them and live a more fulfilling life.

The book is organized into chapters that cover topics such as “Choices and Consequences,” “Types of LIES,” and “Beginning to See Differently.” Each section contains anecdotes that show readers how others have dealt with or overcome LIES. A “Journal Your Truth” section at the end of each chapter features workshop questions for readers to answer to help them to become more self-aware.

“The book is intended to be a partner in your evolution—your process of self-awareness and personal growth,” she says. “Psychology is at the basis of everyone’s life whether we know it or not. Self-understanding leads to confidence and helps us engage more effectively with others.”

Moore Griffin began her study of psychology at Arcadia. “Arcadia just felt right,” she says. “The school was small and had a great reputation as an institute with a high level of academic quality.”

She holds many fond memories from her college days, especially the friendships she made and the invaluable lessons she learned from her professors.

“The professors were remarkable because of their passion for the material,” she says “Dr. Bette Landman instilled me with an interest in other cultures and anthropology, and Dr. Sam Cameron, who was always so helpful and kind, taught me about dream interpretation.”

It also was through Arcadia that Moore Griffin landed an internship in human resources at Strawbridge & Clothier—a position that led to her first job.

“My internship set the tone for my career and gave me a taste of how to assess people, and their fit for a particular job,” she says. “I spent the rest of my corporate career working in human resources.”

After leaving Strawbridge’s, Moore Griffin worked for Penn Mutual and later moved to Smith, Kline and French Laboratories (now GlaxoSmithKline) where she stayed until 1987. Though she loved her career, she couldn’t ignore a feeling that wouldn’t leave her alone—the urge to start her own business.

“My deep need to find ‘something more’ never quit. No matter how much I tried to push it down, silence it, ignore it, wish it away, or placate it, it would not take ‘No!’ for an answer. It demanded my attention and inspired my quest to know more and do more,” she says.

In 1984, she began journaling about her business ideas, but it wasn’t until a friend made a frank comment that she realized she was holding herself back. “He said ‘When are you going to start your own business instead of just writing about it?’”

With that realization, Moore Griffin decided to get out of her own way. Using a financial cushion she’d saved up, and with the support of family and friends, she launched Freeman Associates in 1987, rebranded Spirit of Purpose in 2008. The organization is committed to helping businesses implement programs and processes that complement their business strategies and drive results.

More than 23 years later, her business is highly successful, and she’s helped individuals and leading organizations develop the clarity, direction, and courage they need to grow and live with a Spirit of Purpose.

To those who see only the risk in starting a business, Moore Griffin says, “the greatest risk in life is to live a life that leaves you unfulfilled.”

To purchase a copy of LIES That Limit or to learn more visit, www.liesthatlimit.com.