Terry Kohl has been a fantastic guest blogger for the past few months, generously sharing her gifts and talents. Thank you Terry! Details on her story are shown below, as we offer the final blog in her series. We invite subject matter Passioneering experts to share their guest blogs with us in August and September!
Guest Expert Blog: Passioneer
By Terry Kohl
Passion; the stuff romance and true love is made of. The “I can’t get enough of you, can’t eat, can’t sleep,” syndrome. Hot, sweaty bodies lost in a world where reason is not allowed….right?
Hmmm…been there, done that. And while I am grateful for those juicy moments, the passions that stir my soul now are all about life and how I wiggle around in it.
Passion is love of each and every day because it is a brand new beginning and consequently the chance for a brand new adventure. It’s loving myself and how I came to be the woman I am. It’s trying things on for size that I think I might really enjoy. It’s about not giving a hoot what anyone else thinks or does. It’s going with the flow of life rather than trying to staunch the river of experiences life hands me. It’s about growing, and sometimes being painfully aware of the little time we have on this huge rock hurtling through time and space. It’s falling into bed at night with such gratitude for all that life has shown me that my heart nearly breaks from joy.
Passion—it’s having an idea and running with it. It’s about allowing that fierce, sweet fire of creativity to burn itself out no matter how long it takes. It’s getting out my watercolors on a rainy afternoon and abandoning all I was taught and instead, creating something from my darling passionate heart.
Passion is about being in the now, which is truly all we have. All that is real is only ever experienced moment by moment; everything else is fiction. Passion is about the courage to walk towards the light so that the shadows are always behind you. It’s about digging in the dark, moist earth of your soul and harvesting an unregrettable life.
On Wednesday July 7th, at 9am PST, we’re interviewing Shannon Cutts, the author of Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder and Take Your Life Back and the founder/director of MentorCONNECT, the first global eating disorders mentoring community. Shannon is a proud “survivor and thriver” after a fifteen-year battle with anorexia and bulimia. Her work has recently been featured in Woman’s Day, Glamour, and the Huffington Post. She can be reached at www.key-to-life.com.
On Wednesday June 30th, at 4pm PST, we’re interviewing Jim Dailakis, actor/writer/comedian and voiceover artist. He is based in New York City and has been touring the USA for the last twelve years headlining in the major comedy clubs. A New York trained actor, he’s played in several films, and has been featured on a variety of radio shows. He has worked with the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, The Temptations, Aretha Franklin and Weird Al Yankovic. On stage, Dailakis talks about relationships, love, and mimics movie stars with an uncanny ability of being able to contort his face so he can look like them too. His performances have earned him standing ovations and adoration from audiences across the USA. He can be reached at www.jimdailakis.com.
Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9am PST
When you put your heart, soul, body and mind into your life’s desires and mix it with the ingredients of love, hope, determination, persistence, diligence and discipline to follow through and not let go until you succeed. To enjoy the journey so much that any financial gain is simply a byproduct of your life’s work.
SO: What are your biggest passions for serving others, and how are you expressing them (also include hobbies and volunteering)?
Even with my career choice as an actor comedian, knowing that I have affected people in a positive way through laughter, hope and joy. To hear a collection of souls laughing simultaneously and knowing I’m the catalyst, is indescribable. I give a percentage of my DVD/CD sales to the American Cancer Society. In addition, a movie that I wrote called, Not until She Sings is slowly coming to fruition. I’m determined to give a portion of the box office to charity. This motivates me even further because now not only doing something that I’m passionate about for myself, but for those who are less fortunate.
SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions for serving others, and how you have addressed them?
Finding the time and having such a busy schedule as well as probably overcoming laziness and getting over the fact that just because I’m not a millionaire doesn’t mean I cannot help. Confronting this issue is as always with me, the ultimate remedy.
SO: What have been the key factors in your success?
Persistence, determination, discipline and enjoying every minute of what I do. I’m convinced that you cannot be successful if you’re not happy with yourself and enjoying what you do.
SO: What one word/quality best describes your journey? Faith.
SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap?
Prosperity for me is without a cloud of doubt, being healthy. To be happy doing what you’re doing. To wake up every day and look forward to it and feel that in some shape way or form, I’m helping others or at the very least, making a difference. If I can affect just one person for a particular day, I’m satisfied. Without being selfish, sometimes it’s important to understand that you make yourself happy as well.
SO: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in making the leap?
It’s reinforced me to count my blessings. Something I do sometimes on an hourly basis. If I feel disappointed or sense impending anger, I simply play the game of count your blessings. By the time I get to my 10th blessing, I’m fine.
SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?
My number one blessing is that I came from such a loving and wonderful family. If everybody had my parents, this would be a very happy world. They’re certainly not perfect, but my foundation is very solid because of the support I get from them and my genuine friends. They’re my sanctuary, my support system, my safety net and my nest of pure unconditional love. Spiritually, Jesus, Buddha, Gandhi and Mother Teresa are shining examples of how to live one’s life.
SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?
To confront their fears. More often than not, it’s never as bad as one would assume. It’s very liberating. When you’ve conquered your fears, my belief is that you’ve conquered yourself. Like Helen Keller said; “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”
On Wednesday June 30th, we’re interviewing Jill Jayne, the country’s only Rockstar Nutritionist. She is the leading expert in creating and delivering interactive media about health to kids and families. As President and Creative Director of Note to Health, Jayne creates interactive programming that fuses health education with music. Jills’ knack for rock ‘n roll nutrition is the result of being a registered dietitian mixed with her musical experience as lead singer-songwriter of her band Sunset West. Jill hold her master’s degree in nutrition education from Columbia University and a bachelor’s in nutrition and theater from Penn State University. She can be reached at www.jumpwithjill.com
SO: What’s your definition of “passion” – your WHY that drives you?
My definition of passion is channeling your strong feelings about something into action. I am appalled by the current state of health habits among today’s kids, and inspired by the effectiveness of advertising, so I’ve developed a way to reach kids in an effective way.
SO; What are your biggest passions for serving others, and how are you expressing them (also include hobbies and volunteering)?
I develop counter media—music-based properties that teach kids and families how to be healthy in ways that are entertaining. I make sure that what I create is equal in production value to what people are used to seeing on a TV or computer screen from major media companies.
SO:Your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions for serving others, and how you have addressed them?
The Challenge: Capital. My Solution: Find the stable revenue stream that can then fund the rest of my projects. For me, this has been getting my CDs into catalogs so that the music keeps selling for me even when I’m not out pounding the pavement. This stream helps fund the next project.
The Challenge: Time. Taking on a problem like childhood obesity is no easy task. I’m up late and get up early. Sometimes I’m so physically exhausted from performing live and traveling, I can’t even see straight. My Solution: As my approach has caught on, I’ve been able to hire out more to additional staff so that I can focus on the creative. I set 6 month, yearly, and 5 year goals with post it notes on my wall so that I feel focused on the task at hand and don’t become overwhelmed as easily. I’m in this for the long haul and have to make this sustainable for my own physical body and the future of a healthy company.
SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap?
Being able to make a living at solving a social problem. So far, so good.
SO: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in making the leap?
Plan. Develop. Execute. Do not execute before you have a plan.
SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?
Mentors from many periods of my life who know me very well, so when I am in crisis they can talk me up or down from a decision. They have become my unofficial board of advisors, the president of my board being my mom.
SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?
Alleviate all your fears by making a plan. Seriously sit down and map out what you want to accomplish (big goal) and then work backwards through each step to get to the big goal. A small step can be getting a nice headshot, making a website, etc. Each of these things take way more time than you would ever expect when you do it well, but you are doing all the hard work to lay a sturdy foundation that you will then build your idea on. I see it much less of a leap and much more of a strategic plan.
Getting on a “national” talk show like Good Morning America, Today, or Ellen.
On Wednesday June 23rd, we’re interviewing Dallas Woodburn, who is the author of two collections of stories and a forthcoming novel. She is also the founder of a nonprofit youth literacy foundation, Write On!, that encourages kids to discover confidence, joy, self-expression and connection through reading and writing. She can be reached at www.writeonbooks.org.
SO: Your definition of “passion” – your “WHY” for being on the planet?
Writing is my passion – I feel most alive when I am writing and sharing my writing with others. I can’t imagine what I would be doing if I were not pursuing a career as an author! I believe writing can touch people in incredible ways. One of my favorite things is hearing from a young person who is inspired to follow his or her passion after reading one of my stories.
SO: Your biggest passions for serving others, and how you’re expressing them (include hobbies, volunteering, if you wish)?
In a recent national assessment conducted by the National Literacy Institute (NLI) of fourth-grade students, 13% reported never reading for fun on their own; an additional 16% only read for fun once a month. I think this is a travesty. Reading has brought me so much excitement, confidence and has opened so many doors for me, including a tremendous college education and a career that I love. Writing and reading have given me so much fulfillment and self-confidence, and opportunities that I never would have been given otherwise – like traveling to New York to be a guest on The CBS Early Show when I was writing a column for Family Circle magazine. I feel other kids should be exposed to writing and reading as well, to encourage their self-confidence and self-expression. When I published my first book, There’s a Huge Pimple On My Nose, in fifth grade, the teachers in my elementary school asked me to talk to their classes, and then I spoke to other classes throughout the school district. I still enjoy talking to kids about writing. At the beginning of my talk, I ask the kids if any of them are interested in writing, and usually a few shy hands raise. In contrast, at the end of my talk when I ask the same question, nearly all hands raise. Many students tell me they didn’t know that kids could be writers. They didn’t know writing could be fun.
I started “Write On! For Literacy” in 2001 to encourage kids to discover confidence, joy, a means of self-expression and connection to others through reading and writing. My website www.writeonbooks.org features writing contests, book reviews, fun writing prompts, and more. I organize and teach fun writing camps for kids and award scholarships for young writers. I also hold an annual Holiday Book Drive to collect and distribute new books to disadvantaged kids — more than 11,000 books have been donated to date.
SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in expressing your passions for serving others and how you’ve addressed them?
There aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do! I sometimes tend to stretch myself too thin and take on too many projects at once, and then not be able to give anything the attention it deserves. Thankfully, I’ve been paired up with a great mentor through this wonderful organization called Youth Venture, and she has helped me organize and streamline Write On! into a much more focused organization. She helped me write a mission statement, create defineable and achieveable goals, and move forward on the projects I care most deeply about. I have learned the importance of prioritizing and delegation!
SO: They say that when you do what you love, the rest follows. What has been your experience of prosperity, as you define it?
I try to live my life by John Wooden’s saying: “Make each day your masterpiece.” To me, “prosperity” is living by this mantra. What makes up a masterpiece for you? For me, a masterpiece day is one that includes everything I love most: my family, friends, writing, beauty, and giving to others. I also think it is very important to have balance and to be “prosperous” in all are as of your life: your relationships, health, career, community endeavors.
SO: The biggest lesson that you’ve learned in making the leap?
Following my passion has taught me not to be afraid to take risks. Take the initiative when you have an idea and make it happen yourself rather than letting fear and doubt make you wait. Because, why wait? Take small steps towards your dreams, and small steps can snowball into amazingly big opportunities!
SO: The biggest keys to your success (e.g., talent, quality, skill, etc.)?
I was fortunate to discover my passion and dive into my writing career at such an early age because I wasn’t afraid or self-conscious about my writing. I think as we get older, we tend to lose that child-like pride and confidence in ourselves and our work. I published my first book when I was in fifth grade. I wasn’t afraid of rejection, so I sent my book out to anyone and everyone I thought might read it. Sure, I didn’t hear back from a lot of them. But I did score reviews in The Los Angeles Times, Girls’ Life Magazine, Cosmo Girl Magazine, and others. Many terrific doors were opened for me because I wasn’t afraid to hear the word “no.” I try to hold on to that child inside myself and live fearlessly.
SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?
My parents and my younger brother, Greg, are my absolutely biggest fans. I am truly lucky to have been born into such a phenomenal support system. My dad is also a writer, and he is the first person who reads my work – his feedback and encouragement are invaluable. I remember when I was little, he would let me type out stories on his computer once he had filed his column for the day – how special that was! I also have had amazing teachers who have been very encouraging of my love of writing. I remember in second my teacher, Diane Sather, had me read one of my stories to the class. I got such a burst of joy from sharing what I had written with others. In college, I met other students my age who also loved to write and they remain close friends. I also was able to take a fiction writing class with Aimee Bender, a writer I have long admired, who turned out to be one the most kind, creative, and generous people I have ever met. I feel very lucky to now call her my mentor and friend. I think when building a support system, it is important to find people who will be honest with you but who also believe in you deeply. No matter what happens, I know I have a safety net of love that will catch me. That is freeing in the best way.
SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?
Rejection is something that everyone has to deal with. As a writer, I joke that I could wallpaper all four of my bedroom walls with all the rejection letters I have received from editors! The important thing is not to take it personally. When I get a rejection letter, I first read the comments to see if there is any advice I can glean or ways I can improve for next time. Then, I submit my story or essay or article somewhere else. It took me more than a year to find my literary agent. A year of rejection, rejection, rejection – until finally, I found my perfect match. My agent understands my writing and has faith in my career. I just had to have the patience and perseverance to find her!
SO: What’s your next big milestone?
In August, I’m moving from California to Indiana to enter the graduate school program at Purdue University for fiction writing. I feel so honored to have been accepted to such a great program, and I know I am going to grow enormously as a writer during my three years there. I am looking forward to bringing Write On! to my new writing family and plan to start a Holiday Book Drive and Young Writers Camp at Purdue.
Recently, I was observing myself getting fearful over my financial situation. I was overdue in my mortgage payment, behind on several bills, and a number of clients were making excuses as to why their checks were not in the mail. When I realized all of this was out of my control—believe it or not— I relaxed, and began practicing what I so often teach; living in the unknown takes courage.
Fear, anxiety and worry are dominating the lives of many people these days. The media often heightens these emotions and at times, without realizing it, we mimic what we hear. I was buying into fear by focusing on what I did not have and using as an excuse the news reports that we were all in the same boat.
As I explored this thought further, it occurred to me that adopting an attitude of courage in each moment was extremely empowering. I may not be able to do anything about the state of the world, or those clients who owe me money, but I do have control over how I view these occurrences. I am in charge of my courage button!
In reality, nothing exists outside the present moment we are experiencing, yet I discovered that I was either living in the future (fearful thoughts) or living in the past (memories of better times).
“Now, how crazy is that,” I asked myself?
I came to realize that living this way was extremely disempowering. The past and the future are illusions. They only exist to the degree we focus our attention on them right now. We create the past and the future by imagining them in the present, and consequently, we lose the only place where true living can take place—the NOW.
Wow. How cool is that?
I have discovered that having the courage to pay attention to the “now” is providing me with many joyful moments that otherwise would have passed me by. There is no someday. There is only right now and right now I have all that I need….and right now, and right now.
Courageous practices from me to you:
• In every moment I choose thoughts that are positive and hopeful
• I create a joyful life for myself by living in the moment and avoid fear-creating thoughts.
• I choose the courage to commit to living a powerful, positive and happy life in every single “now.”
We asked several of our Passioneers to share their top tips on staying vibrant and balanced as they have leaped fully into their passions. Below are our responses. Click here for more tips on doing what you love and having the rest follow. Happy Passioneering!
Making a difference in the world requires leaping into the unknown.
Skydiving, scuba with sharks, or expressing an unpopular opinion are all acts of courage. Placing myself in uncomfortable yet fulfilling possibilities enables me to power through mental barriers that might limit my fullest, authentic living. I love to confront and conquer fear.
By committing to philanthropic causes and spiritual practices, I maintain a balanced perspective.
Creativity takes courage, so I utilize the skills and talents I have rather than hide them and keep them safe. Full creativity and self expression enables me to live an enriched, empowered, inspired life everyday.
Live for the moment. Don’t play the “I’ll be happy when ________ happens” game. Be happy now.
Appreciate the small stuff. Intentionally taste your food. Savor more sunsets. Enjoy a long walk or a hot bath. Sometimes the simplest of pleasures can bring the most joy.
Change your perspective. Even an afternoon stuck in traffic can turn into a relaxing and recharging experience given the right music – and perspective.
Remember your priorities. In my case, my top priority is always my family. It is easy to forget that when you get so engrossed in your work.
Take time for yourself. You can’t perform well if you are stressed. It is worth it to take an hour for a run, a massage, or something you consider relaxing.
Do something selfless each day. We often get so wrapped up in our work and ourselves that we forget to care about others around us. To stay fully balanced, try to do something for somebody else each day. Holding a door for somebody else counts! Just remind yourself that life isn’t only about you. It will keep you centered.
Each month, we are thrilled and grateful to share a guest blog by a Passioneer on that month’s theme. May is the month of Courage, and we a featuring a guest blog by best-selling author Alyson Mead (contact details below). Thanks Alyson and Happy Passioneering! If you or someone you know would like to share their story and/or guest blog, please let us via our Contact Form.
Passioneering Courage
By Alyson Mead
Sometimes, you can’t plan it any better. I had started writing this guest blog when my overworked mind gave out. Why had I volunteered to do this in the first place? What did I know about a huge and lofty subject like courage?
For the first day, I stared at the computer screen. Then I was saved by the beginnings of a cold. I’m not an avoider by nature, so my behavior puzzled. What did I fear might happen if I actually wrote this?
On the fourth day, it hit me. I was afraid of nothing; I was afraid of everything. Crap.
I looked up the word courage in the dictionary: ” The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.”
I wrote a few sentences, erased them, began again. After two hours, I wondered if my brain had evaporated. The last time I checked, I made my living as a writer.
A quick walk around the block produced little more than an accelerated heart rate. Some sitting meditation revealed the usual suspects: Martin Luther King, Jr., Gandhi, the Dalai Lama. Surely these folks knew what it was to face danger with self-possession. But what was the common denominator?
I read up on their early lives — struggle, leadership skills and great finesse with words. Certainly, they could communicate their ideas to large groups. In fact, more than a few of them were ready to die for these ideas.
My temples felt like they were going to burst when my cell rang. It was my grandmother. We have an old-fashioned correspondence by letter, and rarely speak by phone.
“Hi, dear. It’s Gram.”
“Hey, Gram.”
“What are you up to? It’s raining here.”
“I’m trying to write a piece on courage.”
“A dirge? That’s too bad. Did someone die?”
“No, it’s on courage.”
“There’s a joke about that — Dutch courage.”
I laughed. “Gram, I can’t write about alcoholism.”
“No, it’s from history. When the bubonic plague hit England, the Dutch were the only ones who would deliver supplies to the people there.”
“Wow.”
“They did want extra rum for their services, but …”
“All right, Gram. I should go. But thanks.”
“I’m sure you’ll get it done, dear.” That made one of us.
When I hung up, it hit me. Of course there’s courage in delivering supplies to sick people (rum notwithstanding), or standing up for your beliefs. But that’s not the whole picture. Courage isn’t confined to a grand gesture or historic moment. It lives in all the smaller ones that make them possible.
Gandhi wouldn’t have been able to do his work without the farmers that sustained him, or the weavers making his clothing. The Dalai Lama wouldn’t be half as effective if there were no airplane pilots, book publishers or translators.
Similarly, it’s the way we get through each day with some sort of crooked grace that starts to get at the idea of courage. It’s the process of doing what we adore that encourages the rest to fall into place. It’s in the moments we allow the strange and humbling events around us to blossom into being – even if that is a 92-year old woman pointing out the seemingly obvious.
Alyson Mead is the bestselling author of Wake Up to Your Stories and Wake Up to Your Weight Loss. Her fiction, essays and articles have appeared in over thirty publications, and she has received the Columbine Award for Screenwriting, the Roy W. Dean Filmmaking Grant and awards from Writer’s Digest and USA Book News. Her next book, Signs Point to Yes, chronicles her time working as a phone psychic while
Shelly Rachanow comes from a long line of butt-kicking women. She is the author of If Women Ran the World, Sh*t Would Get Done and What Would You Do If YOU Ran the World?, two books that celebrate all the amazing things women do. Her mission is to inspire and empower women around the world to recognize how fabulous they are. She joins our radio show today at 5pm PST. We welcome your input, questions, and comments by dialing in to (347) 205-9038. . She can be reached at www.ifwomenrantheworld.com.
SHELLY’S PASSION Q&A
SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?
I think passion is that sense of aliveness we experience when we give ourselves permission to pursue our dreams. I know I feel the most passionate when I am doing what I love and living how I want to live. For me, it’s the opposite of that stifling feeling I experience when I’m trying to please others at the expense of what’s really important to me.
SO: What are your biggest passions for serving others, and how are you expressing them (also include hobbies and volunteering)?
One of my favorite quotes is Eleanor Roosevelt’s, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” My dream was always to be an author who writes books that inspire people and help them recognize that anything is possible, which is what books have always done for me (reading is one of my biggest hobbies). It’s really through my writing and speaking engagements that I’m expressing my passion and serving others.
SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions for serving others, and how you have addressed them?
I originally worked as an attorney, but I was really unhappy in that profession. A few years back, after a friend in his late twenties died instantly of a heart attack, I realized I didn’t want to live the rest of my life doing something I didn’t love. That’s what gave me the courage to pursue my dream. I made a promise to myself that I would never again live with any regrets or what if’s, and once I made that decision, there was no stopping me!
SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap?
I see prosperity as being able to do what you want to do when you want to do it. Giving myself permission to pursue my dream of writing books has helped me be able to do just that. I’m no longer slaving away at a job I dislike. Instead, I wake up everyday excited about the projects I’ve chosen to work on.
SO: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in making the leap?
To never settle for less than what I really want. That I am worthy and deserving of the life I want to live.
SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?
Richard Bach once said, “Argue for your limitations and sure enough they’re yours.” I’ve made a point to surround myself with friends and family who remind me that I can do anything I choose, and who never let me tell myself otherwise.
SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?
Sometimes a fresh start really can be the start of something amazing. You don’t have to make major changes all at once if you’re not ready. Just be willing to take that first step. It’s the only way you can get somewhere new!
Debi Waldeck joined us April 28th to share her Passioneering journey about wellness and her fabulous book trilogy.
My three biggest takeaways from Debi’s journey:
Love of self is the most important success factor in thriving at what you love. Debi invites us to look in the mirror and really love who and what we see! Try it and notice how difficult it might be for you.
The biggest barrier between you and your Passioneering success? Not forgiving something or something. Let it go guys!
Stay focused on your vision and take ACTION to move forward. You won’t create success by sitting at home and waiting for the phone to ring. That is, to quote Debi: “God does not need credit, God needs to be demonstrated.”
Thanks Debi and Happy Passioneering!
About Debi:
Debi Waldeck’s new trilogy, In the Beginning…There Was Wellness, details her account from despair to discovery to destiny! Defying the odds, Debi was told to abort her son due to complications from a medication but a still, small, sweet voice inside said different. Her son was born with numerous complications lasting eight years, fueling her desire to identify the why’s to the fourfold increase in chronic childhood illness and autoimmune disease. Her first book, Saving ‘Generation Next’ unveil the common denominator behind many disease states. Applying Debi’s discoveries finds her son now whole and serving at the United States Military Academy. Lessons in faith and health initiated her second book, Forever Young and Vibrant, which is a body manual that will cause you to never again be afraid that the boogey man will come like a thief in the night. Her last book, The Currency of Thought, identifies how our internal dialogue affects all relationships, including our relationship with money. Health, wealth and peace of mind… it’s all the same. You can reach her at www.DebiWaldeck.com. A BIG invitation to read her books and attend her telecasts – Highly Recomended!
Passion Q&A with Debi:
SO: Your definition of “passion” – your “WHY” for being on the planet?
Many people pursue an end goal with fire or passion. Often I have seen that fire come from a burning ember of for instance, an unpleasant experience that one wishes to change. Therefore, anger turned inward is self-destructive or depression, anger turned outwards is violence or vandalism and anger turned upwards is passion-driving us to fulfill our destiny. Through the process of directing that energy we can move through many steps; from despair to depression to anger to guilt to complacency to action to contentment to hope and ultimately to joy and love.
SO: Your biggest passions for serving others, and how you’re expressing them (include hobbies, volunteering, if you wish)?
My biggest passion is self-empowerment and creating hope, inspiration and action. I personally moved from despair, to discoveries to destiny by learning through that process that we participate in creating our experience based on how we respond to situations and that we can actively participate in creating our future by controlling our thoughts and actions today. We do not have to succumb to a life of prescription drugs or to the maxed out credit cards. We do not have to succumb to a life of mediocrity. More important, many are looking for a one word answer, a 140 character tweet or fixes in a pill… yet, many are getting sicker, fatter and poorer…. The answer is knowledge. Knowledge is the true gold. Therefore, my passion is transformation and in that, I have a coaching series called 52 weeks to a renewed you. that teaches for instance, how body systems work together, why there is a fourfold increase in chronic childhood illness, how the immune system is developed based on the quality of the development of the intestinal area, and how our thoughts affect all relationships including our relationship with money.
SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in expressing your passions for serving others and how you’ve addressed them?
FOCUS- any of us who wish to make a difference must absolutely ignore those who say it can’t be done, or no one will listen. Brian Tracy-the most successful author of all time (chicken soup for the soul).. spends 8-10 minutes per day visualizing his desired outcome.
PERCEPTION-I had to decide and accept that commercially marketing my message does not detract from my message, academia or professionalism. In order to make a difference, my message must get out and that requires marketing or selling me. That was very hard at first. I had to balance the female and male part of this project (my books and message) the female is the creation of the product, of the book and message. I birthed my baby, but the male or masculine energy is that which provides for and takes care of this project. If you had a cure for cancer-would you keep it to yourself or would you be unable to sleep each day unless you shared your message…promote yourself!-don’t hide your light under a bushel.
DISCIPLINE-craft our day so that we do what needs to be done first before we do what we want to do. Over time, what needs to be done will become what we want to do.
NETWORK-why do some attract the right person who helps launch their dream? 2 things-they visualize the breakthrough and they get out so that the opportunity may present itself. Many stay stuck behind the computer or in their home praying for the breakthrough.
SO: What have been the key factors in your success?
DECISION-the decision to make a difference and take action
EXPECTATIONS-Expecting to make a difference-setting ambitious goals
VISUALIZE-I have Debi Waldeck-New York Times best seller posters in many places in my home, I have a dreamboard and intentions that I focus on daily.
ALLIANCES-I am and have created alliances with like minded people who agree to focus together on our desired outcome of making a difference and significantly decreasing the numbers of children with asthma, ADHD, allergies, autoimmune disease and more. This is a power group which is different from a master mind group. A mastermind group brainstorms the best idea…. A powergroup utilizes what is known as the MAHARISHI EFFECT which was studied in 160+ social science journals where a small percentage of a population could focus on a desired outcome and what was seen was a predicted outcome of change.
BE A GIVER-identify a charity and give a % of your proceeds to them-speak to like minded groups for free…
NETWORKING: Join as many associations as you can, meet people.
ACTION-DO IT AFRAID….JUST DO IT…. we will never be perfect before we take action. GOD CANNOT DIRECT YOUR STEPS IF YOU ARE NOT STEPPING.. it was about putting out my message, book, web-site, webinar series… knowing it was not perfect yet, but accepting feedback and constantly improving. JUST GET STARTED
SO: What one word/quality best describes your journey?
INTROSPECTIVE- for me, due to many factors, I found myself alone in many ways. Therefore, I relied on the ‘still, small, sweet’ voice inside, on prayer and meditation, on observations and interpretations. I think all of that caused me to be able to think outside the box. Look, most people whose kid has asthma puts them on an inhaler and it is done, or if the child has ADHD, they put them on medicine and it is done…they are diagnosed with fibromyalgia and that becomes their reality. I always asked the world and God WHY? I looked for the root cause and rather than addressing the symptom-I addressed the cause… whether this was in illness, finances or a very disruptive teenager…. By addressing the cause, we altered the course forever.
SO: What has been your experience of prosperity, as you define it?
For me, Prosperity is being 100% connected to God or what some called source. When we remove ego from all situations and judge situations as neither good or bad, when we live in the now, when we choose to be happy regardless the experience, then we are connected and in that, all good things will come. We were meant to have abundance and to have health, wealth and peace of mind.
SO: What’s the biggest lesson that you’ve learned in making the leap?
When it is done in the spirit… it is done. It just takes time for the physical to catch up. A wave crashes on the shore but the energy that created that wave happened long before the physical manifestation of the crash on the shore….
SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?
Took me a long time to even realize how important that was. My family is in Virginia…. So I never had family around for our children and family. When it came to business, it seemed the same (honestly…. I seemed to find women who wanted to compete rather than be friends.. or men that wanted something other than business…)… therefore, my support system primarily has been God or source or whatever you want to call it, my husband and children. I take very good care of them and they do the same for me. I have been a coach, mentor or leader for a long time. I kept praying, when the student is ready the teacher will come, right?? But I realized that we attract what we need to learn. I listened to the speech,
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure…Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking, so that other people won’t feel insecure around you…as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
–Nelson Mandela
SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap? It’s trust, love, wisdom triangle…
Why do we resist change?
As Marianne Williamson said, “We are afraid of our own power.”
Why?
Because change gives you an opportunity to know yourself, and people are afraid to truly ‘see’ themselves.
Why?
Because people see themselves through the eyes of all who have come
before them.
Sadly, people do not look at themselves through the eyes of God because if they did, they would stare all day long.
Why?
Because many people do not know God
Why?
You start to know God when you
learn to love yourself. To know God means you choose to love yourself
exactly the way you are now – male,
female, black, white, yellow, red, fat, skinny, ugly, pretty. The problem is
that people seek man’s approval before
and above God’s approval.
Why?
Because people have no faith. Faith is the opposite of fear. People are in fear and the cycle begins again.
Okay, everyone knows that faith is not fear. We know what it isn’t, but what is faith?
Faith is to know that when you step into the unknown, you will not fall. You will either find your way or you
will be carried. Faith is Trust.
What is Trust?
Trust is to know that you are loved.
But what if you have never been
shown love?
It’s the Man versus God thing again. Man must demonstrate love. To learn to trust, you must learn to love yourself. Only then will you come to know God.
Does self-love remove God?
Don’t worry that self-love takes God out of the equation.
With this month’s topic, Taking Action rolling around in my head looking for a “hook,” I was reminded of a quote; “We are human beings, not human doings.”
I don’t know about you but many would describe me as a take action kind of gal. As the owner of a Public Relations firm, I’d quickly be out of work if “action” took a back seat. But in reviewing the past year of my life—a year of profound change for me—I realized that in many cases, I chose being still as my action.
To clarify, my definition of taking action used to imply that if I believed in something, I acted on it. I would take a look at all the possibilities in front of me and choose those that propelled me forward towards my intended goal. Those possibilities did not include doing nothing as an action.
Example: Nearly 2 years ago, the “old me” contacted the editor of a major publication with the intention of having them review my book, Lost Your Job? Now What! With over 8 million subscribers, I was thrilled that they were open to the idea. Following their suggestion I sent them a copy of my book. Time passed. I made several follow up calls and sent a few e-mail over a 1-year period, all to no avail. Finally, I connected with the editor who said that my book was still in a pile on his office floor and that these things often take awhile. He was still very interested and asked me to keep “bugging” him.
Well, the new me had emerged by this time, the me that didn’t always take action by doing something and certainly not by “bugging” people. I decided that if reviewing my book was in my highest good, so be it. I would no longer be “in charge” of trying to make it happen.
The new me also initiated the practice of inviting miracles and possibilities into each day. You can read about that practice at The Powerful Act of Inviting. On the very first day of that powerful invitation the editor of the above publication called. He offered me the opportunity to become a guest contributor for an upcoming issue.
In deciding not to take action by my normal methods, (continued calling and e-mailing, and I admit, obsessing over the idea) I was offered an even better opportunity. Being able to promote my own books ideas was a far better position to be in than having someone else review the book.
There are times when taking action is the proper procedure for me but blessedly, I have come to discern that at other times being a human being, not a human doing is in my best interest.
We interviewed Rocky Reichman, founder of LiteraryMagic.com, on our Blog Talk Radio show, on January 6, 2010. He’s a brilliant young man, Renegade CEO (thanks to Shonika Proctor) who’s received many accolades in the literary community, including from William Safire!
His interview follows below:
SO: What’s Your Definition of “Passion”?
Passion is something that’s more than just an interest. It’s something that fuels you and makes you willing to dedicate hours of effort, a day or even your entire life to.
SO: What Passions Are You Expressing?
My biggest passion is writing. I first started to express that by writing novels. When I was 12, I wrote my first novel, when I read the Magician’s Apprentice. That took about three years. …My second book took three days. One January vacation, for Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, I sat down from 8am to 11 at night and just wrote, wrote, and wrote, and got that book out. I decided to publish my own online literary magazine, Literary Magic. I also got into etymology, which is the study of the roots and history of words.
SO: So Has This Been in Your Heart and Your Skill Set?
Through Literary Magic, I’ve really come into contact with amazing people. Writers and editors around the world. I’ve not only learned about these people, but also how to interact: customer service, marketing. I’ve written some short stories, some columns on literary sites. Once I discovered Twitter and everything, I met Shonika Prcotr, who has been very helpful to me. William Safire contacted me, and he called me a “word maven”. A few months after that, McCraw Hill contacted me for an internship. That gave me even more opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship and the world of business.
SO: What Are the Challenges that You Have Face and How Have You Move Through Them?
With Literary Magic, it’s been the business model, and building readership. As a writer, writers love their works, and put all of this effort into their creation. So if an editor wants to make a change, sometimes that writer is not always open to that change. So definitely phrasing, giving, learning to give criticism in as positive a manner as possible, that’s always been a challenge. In my personal life, when I had some family losses, that was definitely a challenge; however they’ve led me to build up resilence and create new projects from that. When my father passed…he used to tell us these stories. …So one day we decided to type them up, and we now have it in the published version.
SO: What Else Would You Say to Somebody Who Is Making the Leap?
No matter what, you have to get it out. Don’t let anyone tell you that what you have to say isn’t worth anything. It’s always worth anything. First of all, to you it’s worth something. And also to your friends and family. And likely the information or advice or even just the message that you have to share can radiate and help people anywhere.
SO: What Would You Say to Someone Who Doesn’t Know What Their Passion Is?
I think you have to try different thing out. Read a lot of fiction, even if you don’t want to be a writer, because fiction isn’t just entertaining. It teaches us about life. A lot of people think “I’m a non-fiction person, I only read to get information.” Fiction can open us up to different worlds and possibilities. Another idea is to go to a college website and look at all of the different subjects, and you really get a feel for what you can do. Whether it’s writing or biology or if you want to be a doctor or a scientist or law enforcement. There are so many possibilities. I was lucky enough to once I read that book Magician’s Apprentice, I knew I wanted to write and kept doing it. Never wall yourself in. Of course you want to focus, but never say “I have my passion, and this is all I want to do.” Always be open to new experiences. Try something that you normally wouldn’t be exposed to. And then see what happens.
SO: How Have You Stayed Focused?
I like to write a lot of stuff down, write plans, and goals. I always make sure that on one day, if there’s only time to do one thing, then I get that thing done. And then I have a task list…if I end up having surplus space then I can do this or that, but I always have one thing that I know must get done that day. Another thing, which isn’t totally going off focus, but if something comes in, like a quick email…something under 4 minutes, I will try to do it right then. Otherwise those things just pile up. Then it can ruin your schedule later in the week.
I didn’t read Getting Things Done, but I did read an article by the same article that shared the same topic. I learned a lot about productivity and time management from there.
SO: When I Say “Do What You Love and the Rest Follows,” Would You Agree?
For everyone I have interviewed, this has been one of the underlying tips that they have all advised: “That you have to find a way to do what you love and get paid for it.” If you first don’t succeed, you can always try again. You can even have a job and make sure that you do your passion on the side. Like if you’re a lawyer or doctor, then you still have time to write novels on the side. I know some people at McGraw Hill that works crazy hours and are writing fantasy novels on the side.
SO: What About Prosperity, the Money Aspect of Doing What You Love?
I think doing what you love, you don’t need to make money at it. You’re doing it because you like it. You’re not doing it because you want to make money. Of course, one of your end goals might be to make money from it. If you can, then that will ultimately give you more time to focus on your passion, and not to worry about other ways to make money or retirement or college savings.
Don’t think that in order to be an author to have a chance you have to quit your job and dedicate your entire to writing. Even if you do get your work published, there are lots of writers out there. For all the ones that are best-sellers that can take off the day, there are many more writers that have to have other jobs, who might not want to sit writing all day. You can get a job, pay the bills and work on the side. Plan it out. Write an hour a day. Write five pages a day. If you do the calculations, it won’t take too long to get your book out, maybe a few months.
Write or brainstorm some of it now. Right after this interview ends. If you want to write a book and haven’t had the time to do it. Stop what you’re doing and take five minutes to brainstorm what it is. Maybe even write a sample paragraph or a log line – a line about what your book will cover. Just jump right into it.
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