You are here: Home / Archives for Wellness

Passioneering Vibrancy: Nourish Your Mind, Body and Spirit

April 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Today I woke up with a splitting headache and stiff upper back. This is not the first morning that I have felt this crappy; yet today I noticed my half-assed honoring of my body temple for the past two months.   Yes, I am a fitness trainer who exercises regularly and eats healthfully.  Yes, I challenge clients to follow the same regimen; yet I often treat my body as if it were an inanimate machine instead of a precious, dynamic organism.  Did I tell myself this morning “Great job, Sue, let’s nourish YOU of today”?  Nope.  Instead, I berated my body with negative comments such as “You’re falling apart.” “Get with the program.” “Suck it up and get going.”  Can you relate?  You may have heard the saying that, if you treated your car the way that you treat your body, you would be walking, not driving.

On your last airline trip, do you remember the flight attendant’s asking you to put on your oxygen mask before helping others? It makes perfect sense to have oxygen flowing in your own lungs before you attempt to help others breathe, right?   So why do many of us in the helping and healing professions neglect our own sacred vessels, by depriving them of the basics of good food, rest, exercise, and play?

The definition of “good health” isn’t simply the absence of illness or disease.  Rather, it is the ability to support not only your own bodily functions and needs, but to also lend support and service to others in need.  This optimum state of physical well being is what I call “overflow,” which requires the tending of your mind, body, and spirit.

Quiz: If you were to rate your body’s vibrancy right now, what would it be?  (1 being “dragging big time;” 10 being “leaping for the sky.”)  Now, what’s between you and being a 10 on a more consistent basis?

What stands between me and being a consistent 10, is the eighteen inches between my head and my heart:   the crazy belief that I must do, do, do, in order to be of service and real value in the world.  Unlike other cultures, we in the U.S. do not highly regard or reward “being”.  Instead, our culture’s success stories highlight rough and tough individuals who overcame big challenges and accomplished well-recognized feats, regardless of the toll on their bodies.   Ironically, the U.S. heritage of pioneering spirit and rugged individualism does not translate into happiness.  For example, we ranked much lower than did other countries in the categories of “being well-rested” and “having a work/life balance” (2011 Legatum).

In the spirit of supporting physical vibrancy in Passioneers who seek to thrive as you give back, here are five tips for experiencing more overflow in your body temple:

1) Healthful Eating. The technology adage of “garbage in, garbage out” is very relevant for our physical bodies.  Eight years ago a dear friend helped me to organic-ize my life and make better choices about what I put into my body.  Most recently, I have eliminated meat (or “anything with a face,” my friend says).  Each day,  I also drink at least one gallon of water, eat five or more small meals, and avoid processed foods and additives.

2) Rest. Most American are sleep-deprived and do not give themselves the requisite eight to nine hours of sleep for optimal health.  Some of my hotshot friends attest that they subsist on five hours or less of sleep each night.   Well, that’s when I push the B.S. button and say that the self-care “fumes” that they live on are going to kill them, eventually.   Schedule your days so that you have plenty of rest, and your body will thank you.  Profusely.

3) Exercise. As you age, the importance of exercise increases exponentially.   In this electronic age, it is easy to forget the hazards of sitting in front of a computer or big screen TV for endless hours.  Find an activity that you adore and an accountability buddy who will enjoy it with you. Here in the Pacific Northwest, my favorite activities are hiking, walking, and being out on the glorious water. Find time to exercise at least three times this week.   If you already exercise regularly, explore a new activity and a new location.

4) Quiet Reflection. In today’s society, we are bombarded with an overwhelming stimuli from a plethora of sources.  It is easy to go several days without any quiet time, let alone time for self-reflection.  A dear friend once told me that meditation would transform my life, and I didn’t believe her.  She was absolutely right. Now I create an appointment in my Google calendar every day for 30 minutes or more of meditation. While I don’t always honor the appointment, I do set the intention.   What would become possible if you created at least 15 minutes of quiet time this upcoming week?  Test it out!

5) Play. I must confess that I don’t experience enough joy, delight and play, which includes time with friends, music, my dogs, in nature, writing, dancing, and travel.   What does play look like for you?   Last month I took a fun, short trip to Southern California and surprised myself  with how much of a blast I had:  walking the beach, exploring new restaurants, meeting old and new friends, and meditating on a bench overlooking the Pacific Ocean.   This week, book at least one hour of play time in your calendar.  Bonus points if you invite a partner in play!

“To keep the body in good health is a duty, for otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear. Water surrounds the lotus flower, but does not wet its petals.” ~Buddha

Photo Attribution: Andrew Stawarz

 

 

 

Filed Under: Blog, Featured posts, Passioneering Tips, Sue's Posts Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Just Be It: Tips for Leaping Vibrantly into What You Really Love

January 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Two years ago, I wrote the blog post below, which summarizes the biggest tips for leaping vibrantly and prosperously into what you love.  Things haven’t changed one bit since then!  In fact, with the continuing challenges of the U.S. economy, these tips are even more important.  If I could distill the biggest key from the 300+ Passioneer interviews, it would be this:  JUST BE IT.  WHY WAIT?

Top Tips to Express What You Love

Often I ask individuals who have successfully leaped into their dreams if they have any regrets. Without exception, they have responded with a resounding “No”! Their most common tip for individuals who are considering the leap is to stop procrastinating and to just do it. Below are some easy, powerful steps to move forward today.

  • Clarify Your Dream. By tomorrow, spend at least 30 minutes exploring the life of your dreams. Write it. Paint it. Sing it. Create a vision board. Let it out!
  • Hang Out with Passionate People. When two or more individuals discuss together their passions, magic unfolds. So over the next week, find at least one social or professional group that shares your passion. Attend one of their events.
  • Explore a Career Change. Your dream life may require a career change. Write down at least five alternative ventures that would allow you to more fully express your passions. Consider hiring a career specialist.
  • Face Your Fears. Write down your ten biggest fears about fully leaping into your dreams. Then examine which of the fears are facts and which are really your interpretations.
  • Stake Your Claim. This week, when others ask you what you do, create a new sound track. Instead of describing an old role or job, declare your passion as your new occupation. “I now am a ___________________” (fill in the blank).
  • Create a 30-Second Elevator Speech. Know what target market you want to serve with your passions. Then use a simple, conversational approach to describe who you are. Here’s my blurb: “As a passions and possibilities coach, I support talented, driven, and successful individuals in taking the next big leap into their dreams”.
  • Order New Business Cards. You could have polished calling cards for your new venture by the end of the week. Several online vendors offer very low-cost choices, so order them today. There’s no excuse not to!
  • Spread the News. Tell at least ten people that you are pursuing the life of your dreams now. Ask them to tell at least ten people. Leverage new and existing venues, especially social networks on the internet.
  • Build a Cheerleading Team. Make a list of ten individuals who could be strong supporters of your dream. Meet with all of them over the next month, and make a specific request for their support.
  • Find a Mentor. Learn from the mistakes of others, to avoid unnecessary pitfalls along your journey. Use your connections to find five successful individuals who are already expressing a similar passion.
  • Hire a Professional Life Coach. A great coach will help you organize countless baby steps into a powerful game plan for your dream. Seek out someone who has solid experience, a successful track record, and with whom you have a strong connection.
  • Assess Your Finances. As you leap into your passions, take your financial pulse. Have you already saved at least one year’s worth of your expected expenses? If not, you will need additional income until your new venture is profitable. So don’t quit your day job right away!
  • Hire a Financial Expert. If you are facing major debt challenges or complicated finances, spend the time and money to hire an expert. You will avoid many headaches and be much more likely to prosper.
  • Take It Slow and Steady. Your progress towards your dreams, after taking many baby steps like these, will simply astound you. Consider Dick Miller, the man who ate a 2,800 pound car. How did he do it? One mouthful at a time.
  • Start Today. Take at least one step into your passions today, even if it’s a small one. Words without action are meaningless, so what do YOU commit to?

Filed Under: Blog, Featured posts, Sue's Posts Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Catching and Holding Bigget Vision for Your Life

January 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Vision = Clarity and Focus!

When you make the time to tune into the bigger vision for your life – to steep yourself in it with all of your senses, you can literally call it forth into your life.   Napoleon Hill said “What You can conceive and believe, you can achieve.”   Most folks don’t spend enough time in the conceiving part, so there’s no way they ever get to believing.   That’s where visioning comes in. The visioning exercise posted below was recorded during our first 2011 VisionCasting call, a monthly, free opportunity for you to tune into the vision for your life from the perspective of your Higher Power.

For more information on visioning, click here for the Visioning FAQ. To share your experience or wisdom with our Network or to sign-up for bi-monthly inspiration and tips, please contact us.

30-Minute Visioning Podcast (Facilitator, Sue Zeal Oliver)

(down-loadable version at the bottom of the page).

Transcript from the 1.6.2011 Visioning Exercise:

  • We’ll create a reflective, contemplative place for about 15 minutes and then will ask our Higher Power to share this vision with us. We’ll open up the phone lines at the end, for anyone who wants to share.
  • Please get at least 2 pieces of paper and pen, pencil, markers, or even crayons. Write the words “Vision” on one page, in small letters in the top part; then, “Be” on the back of that page (or use a new sheet); write “Release” on another side or sheet, and then “Anything Else” on the fourth side or sheet.
  • You can use these sheets to write down any images, sensations, words, etc., that come to you during the process, either as they come forth or at the end. I highly recommend doing so throughout.

Background of Visioning

  • Visioning is a tool for connecting with the realm infinite possibilities – your true nature. That which you do not know with your five senses.
  • It goes beyond visualization which is limited to what you have actually seen with your eyes (for example, imagining yourself successfully dunking a basketball through a hoop).
  • In visioning, you ask your Higher Power to share the biggest possible vision for your life. Or for a project, situation, venture – it can be used for any area of your life.
  • You can create time for visioning monthly, weekly, even daily…from a few minutes to several hours. I include it for about 10 minutes in my daily spiritual practice and for a few hours each month.
  • The technique here includes Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith’s line of simple questioning. You can find out more about his programs by Googling Life Visioning or going to his website.
  • I’ll be sharing four simple questions that you can record on your IPOD, phone or other device and use during your own meditation and journaling practices.
  • Ground rules:
  • Ask your censor, left brain, and inner critics to take a break. There’s no right or wrong way to do visioning. It’s highly likely that some of what comes forth will not make sense. That’s OK!
  • Sometimes the answer will come later down the line, and other times, it may not.
  • Please honor the reflective space and the variety of spiritual traditions.
  • Allow each person to share AND be laser like, focused in your sharing.

Visioning Questions:

  • What is the Greatest Good for my life in 2011? What does it look like? Sound like? Feel like? Smell like? Taste Like?
  • What am I to be in order for this Greatest Good to unfold?
  • What am I to release in order for this Greatest Good to unfold?
  • Anything else for me to know about this Greatest Good for my life?

Giving great thanks for what has unfolded and for the truth that as we believe it, it is so. That we are indeed here for a Higher Purpose – spiritual beings having a human experience.

************************************

Happy Passioneering!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Filed Under: Blog, Sue's Posts, Vision Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PassionBlast #12: Tips from Successful Passioneers®

December 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Twice a month, we share tips, stories, and quotes to inspire social and spiritual leaders and entrepreneurs who want to thrive as they share their talents and gifts.  If you would like to contribute your story or wisdom, please contact us here.  Our contributors receive a heads-up on our themes, articles, and story requests and full attribution and link-backs for their submissions.

“You can start with nothing. And out of nothing, and out of no way, a way will be made” ~ Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith

Tips for Thriving as You Give Back in the World

Passioneer® Melissa Plaskoff, Founder and CEO of Lemons to Aid

  • Figure out what speaks to you.
  • Decide how much of a commitment you want to give to your passion.
  • Find a way to make it happen (it may be a fun way, volunteering, starting a business) and it will all work itself out. When you find your passion, it really is simple. I’m doing it now!
  • Melissa’s full passion0graphy: click here.

Passioneer Paula Caligiuri, Author and Career Coach

  • You cannot own your job but you can own your career.  Stay in control of your own development.
  • Have a well-formulated plan on achieving your career goal.  Sometimes one aspect of your career may need to fund another.
  • Manage all of your resources well:  time, money, energy.  Use your discretionary resources to move you closer to your career goal.
  • Paula’s full passionography: click here.

Passioneer Stephanie A. Jones, Political/Social Scientist, Founder of Geek Nerd Wonk

  • You must be prepared to work harder than you can conceivably imagine.  That means a 9-5 job to keep a roof over your head, and another 6 hours per day devoted to your true passion and/or volunteering, to whatever feels most authentic to you.  If you do not work 14-16 hours a day you will never escape your 9-5 job, when the goal is to be so successful at your authentic job you can do IT alone for 14-16 hours a day.
  • There is no vacancy waiting for you.  You have to claim your space. There is no room at the top just waiting for your particular brilliance, ready and willing to step to the side to enable your joining the hallowed ranks.  Educate yourself, give of yourself, establish your credibility, and then march in and claim your space.  Then work twice as hard to maintain your right to be there.
  • If you tell the truth. 100% of the time, you never have to remember anything you have ever said.
  • Stephanie’s full passionography: click here.


Filed Under: Blog, Passioneering Tips, Passioneers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Passioneer® Melissa Plaskoff, Founder and CEO, Lemons to Aid

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Turning Lemons into Lemons to Aid!

Melissa  Plaskoff was a stay at home mom who decided to make a change in her life after her  four-year old hosted a lemonade stand.  They have now reached out to the nation and kids across America are getting involved and learning about the power of giving!  Based in Dallas, Texas, Lemons to Aid is on a mission to use the simple, but memorable experience of hosting lemonade stands to instill the mindset of service and charitable giving in children at a young age.  Natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes, often generate a helpless feeling in adults and children wanting to help, but not knowing how.  Lemons to Aid provides the tools for families around the world to host lemonade stands and other creative programs, such as read-a-thons, bake sales, etc. to raise money for disaster relief and other basic need causes.  She can be reached at www.lemonstoaid.org.

We’re interviewing Melissa on the radio show, The Passions and Possibilities Network, broadcasting this Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 9am PST.  Tune in live via (347) 205-9038 or streaming audio:  The Passions and Possibilities Radio Show

Melissa’s Passiongraphy Q&A:

1.    What’s your definition of “passion”?

Finding what speaks to you and getting involved! If you figure out what interests you, it’s simple to get involved and make a difference!

2.    What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

I have made a decision to help others and everything else has fallen into place. It’s amazing how many people want to help you when you are doing the right thing. The one word that describes my success is “DETERMINATION.”

3.    What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

My biggest challenge with Lemons to Aid is how fast we are growing. So many people want to get their kids involved in making a difference and with our simple, kid-friendly ideas, kids across America and abroad are getting involved.

4.    Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

After the earthquake in Haiti, my 4 year old son, Hudson asked if we could have a lemonade stand at our house. I told him it sounded like a great idea, but we had to donate the proceeds to the earthquake relief. Well, we made $150 in less than 2 hours. I thought if this was so easy for us, this has to be shared with other families. We set up an informational website and a facebook page and the power of social media took over!!!  Check out www.lemonstoaid.org and see our In The News Section – it’s pretty amazing!

5.    Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

Considering random acts of kindness and selfless acts of grace remember that you don’t have to make some grandiose gesture….something as simple as holding the door for another person at the grocery store can have an effect on another person.  Random acts of kindness are like pebbles thrown into a calm  pond…their effects radiate outwardly long after the deed is done…when you take the opportunity to reach out to someone they are more inclined to then reach out kindly to someone else and  so on and so on……that one simple act of kindness creates a snowball effect touching many people….watch how the journey of your day evolves when you begin to continually extend these small gestures of grace….allow your actions and your words to flow from the innocence of your own heart.

6.    What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

I hope people say that I was a person that taught young children how to give to others at an early age. They are our future and I want to set the foundation for giving early.

7.    What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

  • Figure out what speaks to you
  • Decide how much of a commitment you want to give to your passion
  • Find a way to make it happen (it may be a fun way, volunteering, starting a business) and it will all work itself out. When you find your passion, it really is simple. I’m doing it now!

Thanks Melissa and Happy Passioneering!

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Passioneers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Passioneer® Debi Waldeck, Entrepreneur, Author, Wellness Expert

April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

[private][private]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.

God does not need credit,

God needs to be demonstrated.


[/private][/private]

Filed Under: Authors, Blog, Entrepreneur, Passioneers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Passioneer™ Jill Nussinow, The Veggie Queen

February 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

[private][private]

We recently interviewed The Veggie Queen, Jill Nussinow, for our program.

Jill Nussinow, aka The Veggie Queen™, is a cookbook author, culinary educator, Registered Dietitian, and freelance writer whose goal is to inspire people to eat more plant foods, especially vegetables. She is the author of The Veggie Queen:  Vegetables Get the Royal Treatment cookbook and stars in the DVD Pressure Cooking:  A Fresh Look, Delicious Dishes in Minutes.  You can read more about her at her website http://www.theveggiequeen.com or on her blog at http://www.theveggiequeen.blogspot.com.

When asked who she is, she replies “I wear many hats but they’re all related to great food that includes vegetables and other plant based cuisine. I’m a vegetable and plant-food cooking expert, in vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free eating. Don’t worry about me turning you into a vegetarian; you have to do that on your own time. I just want to help you get more vegetables and plant foods into your diet, no matter what other foods you choose to eat.”

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

I am passionate about teaching people about vegetables, vegetarian, plant foods and pressure cooking, and why eating this way allows you to feel better, look better and gives you more energy.

SO: What are your biggest passions for serving others, and how are you expressing them (also include hobbies and volunteering)?

I pride myself on being a role model for others. I shop at the farmer’s market, I share recipes on the spot (in person), I blog, I volunteer for the Vegetarian Nutrition Practice group of The American Dietetic Association and for SOMA Mushrooms (Sonoma County Mycological Association) and do yoga on a regular basis, which keeps me grounded. I also support local farmers in a variety of ways. I find teaching moments outside of the classroom whenever possible. My goal is to teach people individually or in groups who will pass that knowledge on, in the “teach a man to fish” model.

SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions for serving others, and how you have addressed them?

I want to do “it all” and often that is too much for me to do.  I have learned to say no more often, especially if someone else can do what I don’t feel that I can. It’s like pruning a rose bush – the more I get into it, the clearer it becomes what I need to cut away or say no to.

SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap?

I believe that doing what you love attracts people to you but if you don’t have business skills you aren’t always able to attract the money to go with it. You have to also realize that what you do is valuable and that charging for your skills and experience is what business people do. There’s nothing wrong with that. So, I have built my abundance-ness counsciousness over time.

SO: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in making the leap?

Clearly define your goals. One of mine is that what I do must be fun for me or feed me in some way. If it doesn’t, then the money isn’t usually worth doing the task. And the more that I’ve said no to the things that don’t work for me allows the more joyous and often lucrative events into my life. And also, you must persevere (and not burn bridges) because events don’t always happen on the timeline that you have in mind.

SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?

I have an assistant who helps me at my classes and she is invaluable. I didn’t create it – she asked if she could help me and I gladly said yes. I could have more support but have not yet found the ideal virtual assistant.

SO:  What are your biggest keys to your success?

The ability to be resilient along with talent, experience, skills and probably most of all humor. I love having fun and the enthusiasm to share it with others. I am also grateful for everything that I have in my life and encourage others to find their passion and become inspiring people.

SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?

Think about the worst that could happen if you don’t move ahead, and what’s the best thing that could happen if you do move ahead. What feels better? Hopefully it’s the best thing and if not, then you need to figure out why you don’t want to be more successful. Just do it, keep your eyes open for learning opportunities and get others who can encourage and support you.

SO: What’s your next big milestone?

I am having my website redesigned and working on my next book. I am also developing my speaking platform in a more serious way and hope to reach more people with my message about how eating affects your life.

Thanks and Happy Passioneering![/private][/private]

Filed Under: Blog, Health & Fitness, Passioneers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Passioneer(tm) Robyn O’Brien, Founder of the AllergyKids Foundation

December 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

[private][private]Robyn O'Brien

According to the New York Times, Robyn O’Brien  is “food’s Erin Brockovich.” Robyn is the founder of AllergyKids, an organization designed to protect the 1 in 3 American children with autism, allergies, ADHD and asthma. Robyn has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and CNN highlighting the role that chemicals in our food supply are having on our health. O’Brien is the author of The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick and What We Can Do About It (Random House/ May 2009) and it exposes the role that money plays in our federal food policy.  Robyn shared her Passioneering story with us in mid-December 2009:

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?  

That which you believe in to your toes whose pursuit gives your life purpose, meaning and fulfillment; something, that once you find it, to live without it, would be to not live at all.

SO: What are your biggest passions for serving others, and how are you expressing them (also include hobbies and volunteering)?  

I love inspiring others into believing in themselves and in their own abilities to affect change in their lives. For me, it was about informing others and inspiring them to make changes in their health and the health of their families. Allowing them to accept that “good” is great! And to not make “the perfect” the enemy of “the good”. To embrace an 80/20 rule, where you do an awesome job 80% of the time, and allow yourself the grace of the everyday world the other 20% of the time. In a world that very much feels like it has been thrown into a cuisinart, there are so many opportunities to be part of the solution. And it is so important to believe in our ability to inspire change.

SO: Your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions for serving others, and how you have addressed them?  

The biggest challenge was believing in my own ability to overcome challenges and to affect remarkable change – in a world that constantly messages otherwise. It is a challenge to silence the noise and the headlines that are constantly pushing the status quo and to hear the internal dialogue in your heart. It therefore requires tremendous discipline, strength, courage and tenacity to silence the cultural “noise” in order that you may hear the message that is inspiring you from within. As a result, I try to take time to exercise everyday as it gives me clarity and focus – and the ability to process the everyday “noise” so that I may better hear the internal dialogue. I also had to “de-friend” those around me with negative messages, the “naysayers” and choose to surround myself with positive people and positive energy, as it helped provide positive “fuel” for & to nourish my passion!

SO: Your experience of “prosperity,” as you define it, in making the leap? 

The complete fulfillment that comes in knowing that you are doing what you are here to do. Realizing that your life and every stage in it has prepared you for this work – every accomplishment and every setback, a lesson to be learned, making you a better “passioneer” as you evolve in your role of advocating your passion and message.

SO: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in making the leap?

That it will scare people that are close to you which can pose perhaps the biggest risk of all. Those around you may feel threatened by the energy and emotion that you feel towards your life’s work, having not found that same energy themselves. They may feel threatened or displaced by your newfound “love affair”, as jealous as if you’d betrayed them with a newfound love. The risk then becomes that rather than risk alienating those that are close, you choose to forgo your passion and risk alienating your heart’s work. As a result, I have found that it is very important to share with others that your passion makes you more complete, more of a person, more “whole” – which in turn gives you more to share with those you care about. There is nothing special about me, I simply found something that I was so passionate about, that I cared for so deeply that to live without it would have been to cease living, and then I had to shelter myself from a world that told me that I couldn’t make a difference, that my work wouldn’t matter, and take active steps to shield my passion and my heart’s work from those with condescending and destructive words and messages.

SO: What’s your support system look like; how did you create it?

I had to distance myself from the ‘naysayers’ (which was incredibly difficult at times, as it sometimes included close family members) and surround myself with positive energy in order to have the strength, endurance and courage to pursue work that can be so consuming. As a result, I spend less time with those that are negative (including family) and have also learned to avoid the topic with these people, and I spend more time with those who share passionate work. I find absolutely joy in being with other ‘passioneers’ as there is an energy and life to the work that provides constant nourishment. I also take time to nourish myself, not only through good relationships, but also with nourishing, healthy food and nourishing exercise, which gives me the fuel for my passionate journey!

SO: What wisdom do you have for someone who’s scared/discouraged about their own leap?

Hope is the knowledge that change is possible, even when it seems hard to imagine. And while the world favors the status quo and conformity, there is so much fun to be had in the experience of living what you are here to do. It won’t be without challenges and growing pains, but it is those very challenges and your ability to overcome them that will give you such a tremendous sense of LIFE. As you weigh the pros and cons of whether or not to take this leap, ask yourself “What do I have to lose?” Perhaps you’d lose “face”. Then ask yourself “What do I have to gain?” A sense of purpose, of being, of fulfillment, of energy….that will inspire your life and the lives of those around you in such a way that you have made the mark on the world that you are truly here to make! And it’s so important when taking the ‘leap’ to not make “the perfect” the enemy of “the good”. To embrace an 80/20 rule, where you do an awesome job 80% of the time, and allow yourself the grace of the everyday world the other 20% of the time.

SO: What’s your next big milestone?

I continue to learn from my readers and invite them to be part of the journey to change our country’s health!  While we can’t change the beginning, we have an incredible ability to change the end.  So I am engaging many with whom I work in new projects going forward: we are working on films, online forums and other tools that “we the people” can use to help create a healthier home, and I am so humbled and constantly inspired by the remarkable stories that readers have shared and look forward to highlighting them in my future work!

 Thanks Robyn and Happy Passioneering![/private][/private]

Filed Under: Blog, Health & Fitness Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Passioneer® Morgan Rich, Author, Coach, Visionary

October 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Morgan loves spending time with young people. He is currently laughing, playing, reading books, and enjoying every day while raising his two young children. For 12 years prior to spending time with his own kids, he learned with teenagers about communication and increasing self-esteem. He spent time as a high school teacher, an adventure trip leader, a personal growth program facilitator, a mentor, an interim Dean of Students, an advisor, and a friend. These experiences, a Master’s degree from Northwestern University, and a trip around the world on a ship, helped him understand that at the heart of our success as people is confidence in our selves and support and love from other people. He calls these things “Know Yourself” and “Trust Yourself.” It is with the passion to make a difference in people’s lives that he coaches his clients to sustainable and long-term success. He authored the book Launch Your Life: 5 Secrets to Knowing What You Want in Your Teens, College Years, and Early Career. Reach him at www.playhuge.com.Morgan0330_large

Below is our recent radio interview with him, September 23, 2009:

Filed Under: Blog, Coaches, Passioneers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Passoneer® Jasmine Graham, Coach, Athlete, Entrepreneur

October 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

bio picJasmine Graham is the Founder and President of Pace For Success Inc. She is a certified coach with the Road runners Club of America and an American Council of Exercise certified Fitness instructor. Pace For Success creates F.I.N.E. HUMAN BEINGS through Fitness, Involvement, Nutrition & Empowerment. Jasmine is currently running a very successful Health and wellness company. She offers Bootcamp Fitness sessions, Running programs and Nutrition programs. Her scope of service is not just limited to fitness and nutrition. Her newest endeavor is her talk show FINE WOMEN that will cover issues related to Fitness, Involvement , Nutrition and Empowerment in every show. She also wants to showcase ordinary people doing extraordinary things in every episode. She decided to create this show because she wanted to empower and effect people in a positive way on a larger scale. The pilot is completed and will be shopped to various networks. She has also been interviewed on various cable programs where she discussed how she changed careers and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Her life’s passion is to help people be the best that they can be and she is accomplishing that. She can be reached at www.pace4success.com.

Below is her interview with us on Blog Talk Radio, October 2, 2009:

Filed Under: Blog, Health & Fitness, Passioneers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Passioneer® Eileen Dey, MA, Actress, Speaker, Founder of Reiki Training Program

October 10, 2009 By 2 Comments

Eileen DeyEileen Dey, M.A. and Reiki master is the director/founder of the only state licensed Eileen is also a counselor and provides on-going “anti-career” support to adults in career transition. Reach her at www.reikitrainingprogram.com.

We interviewed her earlier this year on Blog Talk Radio (Passions and Possibilities Network):

Filed Under: Blog, Healing Arts, Passioneers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Passioneer® Keith J. Davis, Jr, Entrepreneur, Founder of K. Jerrold Enterprises

October 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Keith J. Davis Jr. is the founder of K. Jerrold Enterprises, a personal empowerment company that empowers, educates and motivates youth and teens to become future leaders through thought-provoking seminars, writings, networking functions, mentoring and more. Davis is the son of marketing innovator “Mr. D-MARS” (Keith Davis Sr.), owner of Houston marketing firm conglomerate D-MARS.com. Davis is a 2009 high school graduate of Cy-Springs High School in Cypress; he is currently enrolled at the University of Houston Main Campus. In his 18 years, he has launched a youth magazine, is a sought-after speaker, publisher, actor, model, and now the author of Young? So What! 10 Steps to Become a Successful Young Entrepreneur. Visit www.keithjdavisjr.com for more information.

Keith J. Davis, Jr.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Filed Under: Blog, Entrepreneur, Passioneers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts