The Greatness In You – Just Believe

Posted on February 4, 2011 by 2inspireu

Every single one of you… has greatness inside you.  Your job, living on this earth, is to find out what your gift is, dig it out and give it to the world. ~ Henry Winkler

I started writing this letter to one of my sisters.  It’s been 15 years since we last connected.  As I wrote I realized that my message was too important not to share with the world as I believe it is a message which will inspire others.

Reconnecting

Hey Sis,

I finally opened Facebook and saw your last 2 messages. I appreciated your comments and love your writing.  Your use of emotions, sentence structures and exciting vocabulary really engages me as a reader.  So you have some spelling mistakes.  Big deal. Many of the great leaders, artists, inventors and thinkers also had their own challenges which propelled them on to great accomplishments.  (Famous dyslexics include Henry Winkler (aka The Fonz), Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Cher, Walt Disney, JFK, John Lennon, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Winston Churchill…)

Challenges Are Opportunities

I, too, have faced numerous challenges since my accident.  I’m focusing on looking at each challenge as an opportunity… an open door with many possibilities. Many doors have opened and many opportunities have appeared in the past 2 years.

The first was in January 2009 when I set off on a voyage to Thailand on the advice of my doctor… it was an exciting adventure and an incredible healing journey.

Me in Northern Thailand - Lisu Hilltribe village near Sophong - Traditional colorful dress

My Turning Point

When I returned from that phase of my life I was totally confused, uncertain where I was going… no home, no hope, no purpose. Another door opened when I met Erikka at Peak Potentials MMI and she led me to the next open door, The Mastery.   My main facilitator, Larry Gilman, was incredible.

This was my turning point as I embarked on a new journey, discovering, in the process, that I’m perfect just as I am….  We are all unique and perfect just as we are.  Just BELIEVE.

Since then, I’ve continued to be a part of The Mastery community – volunteering with the Assistant’s Team, where we support and are supported by others who share the Mastery experience. Life is about CONNECTION!  Through the Mastery I have come to realize and appreciate the importance of connecting, especially after losing contact with my students, my friends and my colleagues following my accident. The Mastery played a big role in bringing me back to reconnect with my family, most of whom I haven’t seen since Dad passed away on your birthday 15 years ago.

I continue to search for meaning, immersing myself in personal and business development… reading, listening to educational and inspirational speakers at workshops, through tele-seminars and webcasts…  I’ve been focusing on my writing and am committed to getting my book done.  BJ has been helping me navigate the world of technology and social media and got me set up on Twitter, Facebook and my blog/website.

On my journey I’ve discovered some reflections and tips worth considering….  Take time each day to remind yourself what an amazing person you are. Look at your gifts, your talents and your accomplishments.  You are unique.  No one else is like you.  Believe in yourself.  Each day reflect on what you are grateful for and celebrate your strengths and accomplishments.  Learn from your challenges.  Look at them as opportunities to grow and move forward.

Our stories are similar… I spent my whole life thinking that I was stupid, always longing for a friend….  As a result of my quest, and upon reflection, I began to realize that these thoughts were just lies that my subconscious mind had been feeding me, convincing me they were true.  These inner voices or critics are what Noah St. John refers to as Head Trash.  They were saying, “You’re stupid. No one loves you. You’re such a reject.   What a loser.  Can’t you do anything right?  You don’t deserve… You’ll never be an anybody.  You’re just a nobody….”  I’m happy to report that I’m making progress getting rid of the negative self-talk, exchanging it for positive beliefs to empower me to reach my potential.  My self esteem continues to climb as I apply the lessons I’ve been learning.

Believe in the Greatness in You!

Believe in yourself Sis.  You’re funny, playful, outgoing…  You’re full of energy, excitement and enthusiasm.  CELEBRATE your challenges and the opportunities they give you to stretch and go further.  You have the potential to impact people’s lives by sharing your writing, your art, your joyful spirit.  Remember “The Fonz” from “Happy Days” (aka Henry Winkler).  I was inspired when I heard him speak at Ron LeGrand’s Customer Appreciation Celebration in LA in September 2008.  He really cares about children and is making a difference in their lives.

A Brand-New Me

Guess what! Henry Winkler is dyslexic with a long list of academic challenges… including spelling.  He believed he could make a difference in the lives of children with learning disabilities like himself.   So what did he do?  He couldn’t write so he teamed up with Lin Oliver, co-author, who typed as he told his story.  The result was Hank Zipzer, the world’s greatest underachiever, a series of 17 best selling children’s books inspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler.

Did he make a difference?  Definitely!  He continues to receive letters from moms, teachers, librarians and kids thanking him for changing the lives of children all over the world.  And he turns the proceeds from book sales back into literacy.

You can succeed in life no matter what obstacle might be in your way.  There is a way around it… a way to beat the obstacle and continue to your dream and that’s for all kids. ~ Henry Winkler

As for marketing your art and writing, Sis….  I understand your concerns.  I, too, had no clue how to promote myself and my writing as do countless others.  It’s not a matter of being stupid just because we don’t know how.  It just means taking one step at a time… networking, education (reading, webcasts, tele-seminars, workshops), action.

BJ and I went to the 21st Century Book Marketing Event in San Diego at the end of September.  It was an invaluable educational experience packed with ideas, tips and strategies and, oh, so overwhelming. But where to start…. We were both really wound up… and so excited about the possibilities.  It’s been challenging due to my head injury… setting goals, planning, deciding on priorities and focusing on taking action… But BJ’s been learning about twitter and blogging and has been helping me.

I look at the challenges as stepping stones to move on to greater things, first through writing… then speaking and, in the process, inspiring others to believe in themselves and reach their potential. On my writing journey I’ve discovered that my job, as an author, is to identify a problem that people are faced with, then to provide a solution, helping and inspiring others to overcome their challenges and to climb higher.

As for some of your talents, I see you have books, stories, poetry and a diversity of art forms inside you just waiting for spring to blossom. You have so much you can share. Doing so would make such a difference in the lives of others.  Just believe.

I’m focusing on developing a business based on my writing, becoming more consistent with my blog posts and gaining momentum and experience and would like to help you in whatever ways I can, e.g. editing and marketing your work.

What are some of the major challenges you face, or have faced, in your life? How did/can you turn your challenges into opportunities? What steps have/can you take to overcome those challenges and move on to greater things?

Posted in Education, Inspiration, Personal Development, WordPress Blogging Challenge 2011, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Fox Seeking Cat Snack

Posted on April 30, 2011 by 2inspireu

Just returned indoors after experiencing some exciting moments….

My sister BJ’s German Shepherd, Kita, set up quite a ruckus tonight, starting at the front deck, then rushing off to the back of the house, excitedly raising the alarm that we had an intruder.

BJ called down at me, “There’s a coyote out there and I don’t know where Puddin (the cat) is.”  So I dutifully stepped outside my front door and cajoled, “Puddin. Puddin.” But to no avail.

So I rushed upstairs and we watched from BJ’s window as the “coyote” returned, racing across the neighbor’s property. A brief glance and we quickly realized that this was no ordinary coyote. It was, in fact, a fox… beautiful to behold in motion as it raced across the yard… swift, streamlined, long tail – bushy and tipped in white.

Our immediate concern was for Puddin.  So we raced outside. BJ saw him hiding in the trees where the fox had last been seen.

As soon as Puddin saw the opportunity to escape he did so, quickly returning home seeking our protection, glancing behind him in the direction of the fox once he had made his get away. But he was too independent to let me near, to entice him to safety and was quick to run under the deck.

I watched him cunningly, moving closer when he appeared more comfortable, stroking his back, then picking him up by the nape, cautiously holding his claws well in front of me, then depositing him into the suite from whence he made his own way into the house.

Mission accomplished! Feelings of relief and excitement flooded over me.

And gratitude, first for Kita’s alarm and excitement… all she really wanted was to play with her new friend, Fox. Grateful that Puddin was safe. And finally, gratitude that BJ, both friend and sister, and I could share the wonder and excitement together as we watched the fox in all its grace and beauty.

What a way to close the day!

Posted in Nature, WordPress Blogging Challenge 2011, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How to Succeed with Heart – Lessons from 39 Leading “Social Entrepreneurs”

Posted on February 12, 2011 by 2inspireu
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~ Margaret Mead

Change the World One Person at a Time

Do you see the need for big changes in our world, yet sometimes doubt that one person can make a remarkable impact while still making a decent living?

What if you could grow a mission-based business that not only changed the world, but made a healthy profit, while filling your days with profound meaning?

If this sounds like a distant goal, then keep reading. You’re about to discover precisely how 39 of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs came up with brilliant ideas, and by aligning 100% with their passion and values, succeeded at creating humanitarian products, services, and organizations that are transforming the world.

Click here for details on this FREE global tele-series/webcast.

The Social Entrepreneur Empowerment Series

The Social Entrepreneur Empowerment Series features a unique combination of speakers. The first wave is already available for web-replay and includes leading global visionaries and social change activists who will inspire our compassion, creativity, and collective vision of a better world. The second wave (Feb 8-17) features some of the world’s top business mentors sharing the inside story on how they became successful.

You’ll hear from influential leaders such as NY Times #1 best-selling authors Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love) and John Robbins (Diet for A New America); self-made millionaire entrepreneurs such as Ali Brown (Ali International) and Fabienne Fredrickson (Client Attraction); global visionaries such as Julia Butterfly Hill (Famed Activist) and Bill Drayton (founder of Ashoka and widely considered the Godfather of Social Entrepreneurship).

You’ll hear how Kimmie Weeks escaped political assassination and built a global following after exposing the injustice of his government, and how Tashka Yawanawa brought his tribe back from the brink of ethnocide by initiating ecologically sound income producing projects.

You’ll learn the one key that empowered Lynne Twist to raise hundreds of millions of dollars. Bill Drayton will tell us how he built a network of thousands of leading social entrepreneurs and empowered them to address the world’s most pressing problems.

You’ll learn the keys to their success, and how they triumphed over obstacles along the way. Most importantly, you’ll take away the key mindset shifts and hard entrepreneurial skills that helped these people succeed.

Get more info and register here.

David Riklan will show you how he built an email list of 950,000 weekly readers. Ali Brown and Fabienne Frederickson will help you adopt the entrepreneurial mindset that supported them to build seven-figure businesses.

You’ll learn why Marianne Williamson, Bruce Lipton and John Robbin’s books catalyzed millions of readers, and how you can publish your own book much faster than you thought possible. You’ll learn how Josh Thome attracted high profile celebrities such as Cameron Diaz to his documentary TV series, and how you can attract high level partnerships with people that currently seem out of reach.

If you’ve ever struggled to attract enough clients or customers, you’re in luck, because some of the best marketing mentors on the planet will teach you about leading-edge conscious, green, mission-based marketing that gets results! The type of results where you’re booked solid with a long waiting list, and you did it without selling your soul, or feeling sleazy.

See the full line-up of mentors.

You’ll learn the tangible business skills every socially conscious entrepreneur needs to combine making a massive positive difference with making a sizable income.

To help you implement all that you will learn, top business coach James Roche and time mastery expert Bill Baren will share secrets that can dramatically increase your productivity.

Free Webinars Get Rave Reviews – Over 14,ooo Listeners

All of this costs you nothing because of the commitment to reach as many people as possible with this series, and money shouldn’t be a barrier for anyone.

You might be wondering if YOU are a social entrepreneur, and “What is a social entrepreneur anyway?” If you’re using entrepreneurial principles to serve the greater good, then yes, you’re a social entrepreneur. Welcome to this global movement!

If you think all of this “change the world” stuff is for other people with more time, resources, and influence, think again. Most of the presenters are ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things. They answered a calling in their hearts, chose to believe in themselves, and attracted the right support – the type of support YOU can get through this series.

Join more than 14,000 people who have already registered and hear web-replays of recent interviews which have been receiving rave reviews.

Please join me and register here.

I’ve been listening to many of the interviews and have been blown away by the valuable tips and information the speakers have been sharing.

Posted in Business and Marketing, Education, Inspiration, Personal Development | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Believe in Yourself and All That You Are

Posted on January 24, 2011 by 2inspireu

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe . ~ Anatole France

When I was watching this video, the quotes really touched me. They went deep into my heart and I realized my lack of belief in myself was holding me back from accomplishing the goals I set for myself. Now I really do believe that I can make a difference and I am “destined to do great things.” (Joe Paterno)

I hope that this video will help you believe in yourself and that you will see that you are also capable of anything you set your mind to.

Which quote inspired you the most? How are you going to apply it in your life?

Posted in Inspiration, WordPress Blogging Challenge 2011 | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Blogging Success Summit 2011

Posted on January 19, 2011 by 2inspireu

The Web’s Largest Online Business Blogging Conference

Is your blog getting the results you hoped for?

Have you heard about Blogging Success Summit 2011 – the online conference for businesses that want to master blogging?

Social Media Examiner and BlogWorld have designed an online event to help marketers and business owners achieve blogging success—Blogging Success Summit 2011.

Join 23 of the world’s leading blogging authorities as they reveal the latest techniques and business-building tactics you need to know to immediately benefit from blogging.

The all-star lineup of presenters includes blogging pros:

  • Richard Jalichandra – CEO, Technorati
  • Scott Monty – head of social media, Ford Motor Co.
  • Darren Rowse – co-author, ProBlogger
  • Brian Clark – CEO,  Copyblogger
  • Debbie Weil – author, The Corporate Blogging Book
  • Douglas Karr – co-author, Corporate Blogging for Dummies
  • Joe Pulizzi – co-author, Get Content Get Customers
  • Mari Smith – co-author, Facebook Marketing
  • Jay Baer – co-author, The Now Revolution
  • Chris Garrett – co-author, ProBlogger
  • Dave Garland – author, Smarter, Faster, Cheaper
  • Mike Volpe – VP of marketing, HubSpot
  • Rick Calvert – CEO, BlogWorld
  • Michael Stelzner – founder, Social Media Examiner
  • experts from McDonald’s, Cisco, Southwest Airlines, Sony, and Procter & Gamble

Check their bios here.

Event runs February 1 to February 22 (fully online).

Click here to find out how you can save 50% (to Thursday, January 20), get the 17 free bonuses worth $794, and watch a free sample class.

Posted in Blogging | 2 Comments

Joel Comm’s 5 Tips on Who to Trust Online

Posted on January 17, 2011 by 2inspireu

I just ran across some helpful tips I’d like to share. These tips were included in Joel Comm’s newsletter which he emailed to me a few days ago.

http://joelcomm.com/who-can-you-trust-online.html

Following is a summary of his key points:

1. Google the person or product in question using quotes, e.g “Joel Comm”.
2. How long have they been online? Search whois.sc for registered domains, dates, etc.
3. Where are their testimonials? Audio and video are more convincing than written but they can be fabricated too.
4. Are they really experts? Do they have proof it worked for them or are they creating “knock-off” products learned from someone else?
5. Have you met them at conferences where they’re speaking and are they worthy of being followed?

What other tips do you have about who to trust online?

Posted in Internet Tips, WordPress Blogging Challenge 2011 | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

On Target for 2011

Posted on January 9, 2011 by 2inspireu

The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goals to reach. ~ Benjamin Mays

Goal Setting for the New Year

Why do most people abandon their New Year’s goals within weeks?

This week I listened to a free monthly teleseminar called Ask Jack Canfield: Practical Advice to Transform Your Life.  Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, is an inspiring, motivational speaker with invaluable tips and advice that you can implement immediately.

Jack shared tips on goal setting for the new year. He says people abandon their new year’s resolutions because:

• They don’t properly set their goals.
• They don’t have a plan for achieving their goals.
• They don’t have a system for keeping track of their progress.

Besides Jack Canfield’s seminar I’ve been listening to a number of speakers on the NewYouYear series that also focus on goal setting.

Challenges

These have been helpful seminars because I’ve been having challenges in this area and have been searching for solutions. I’ve had a lot of turmoil in my life in the last few years. I had a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle accident. It turned my life upside down.

I was a healthy, fit athlete who ran and worked out every day and participated in extensive outdoor sports and travel. Now I can no longer do many of the activities I was so passionate about.

I had a large social network when I was a primary school teacher. I lost my job, my students, my friends and colleagues and my lifestyle. And with that my purpose, passion and fulfilling lifestyle.

After my accident I couldn’t drive. I spent a lot of time and energy in therapy and dealing with lawyers. Everyone was telling me what I could and couldn’t do. This made me feel powerless. I felt like I had no control, stability, freedom and independence.

Last month I took the plunge and moved from British Columbia back to Alberta where I have the support of my family. But all the disruptions, transitions and instability have been overwhelming. They’ve taken their toll as I attempt to move on with my life.

Too many things to do! Where do I start? I start one project, get distracted or interrupted… so put it on hold, then start another project and nothing gets finished.

Moving On

So to start the new year I’ve decided that my most important priority is setting goals to help me focus on making 2011 my most successful year after my accident.

You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals. ~Booker T. Washington

Do you find it hard to focus on setting goals? What techniques work for you?

Posted in Personal Development, WordPress Blogging Challenge 2011 | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Happy New Year

Posted on January 1, 2011 by 2inspireu

Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year.

Posted in Inspiration | 1 Comment

I’m Getting My Book Done!

Posted on October 12, 2010 by 2inspireu

If there’s a book you really want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it. ~Toni Morrison

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

I’m sitting here on my sister’s sundeck getting ready to log in to a webinar which has the potential to change my life.  I have a choice.  It’s all up to me now.  No more excuses.  

The writing course I am about to embark on is Get Your Book Done (GYBD), a five-month course for aspiring authors and for anyone with a book inside just itching to get out.

I discovered this course through a series of free teleseminars in August 2010, Successful Author Secrets, hosted by Love Your Life Publishing partners, Christine Kloser and Lynne Klippel.  I chose to go with Christine and Lynne because of their integrity, their philosophy and the quality of relationship they had built.

This live series entices me with the offer of a finished manuscript at the end of March, the culmination of the 5-month course.

What am I feeling…?   Fear!  Apprehension!  Excitement!

  • Self-talk.  Trash or Truth!  What if the course doesn’t deliver?   What if I fail?  What if people laugh at me or criticize me because I don’t get it, because I’m stupid or different?
  • Excited because I’ve finally taken decisive action – a major step towards pursuing my dream and my passion to get my first book done….

Lesson 1 begins.  I listen to Christine Kloser and Lynne Klippel introduce the course with an invitation to write because, “Writers have a message to share.”

They soon alleviate some of my fears as they explain that they use a variety of strategies to accommodate different learning styles and remind us to recognize that we are all unique.

We share, via phone or webinar, the proposed ideas for our books.  I notice that I’m the only one without a clear book idea.  Words and ideas resonate with me as others share.  Ideas percolate in my brain and I retext, this time posting that my book will be about inspiration and overcoming brain injury.

I’m excited when Kayla from neighboring LaConnor shares her concept about sailboat racing and life. I discover we have a number of things in common. We’re both aspiring authors and sailboat racers and live near each other on the west coast.

Stage 1:  October 12 – December 21, 2010

I learn that the first 10 weeks of the course, comprised of weekly calls and assignments, will be spent on Building the Foundation.  Weekly assignments are imperative if we want to get full value from the course.  Christine and Lynne will be teachers in this, the first stage.  We’ll be writing but won’t be starting on our books yet.

Christine and Lynne draw parallels with their GYBD program and that of the paint-by-numbers model.  What a relief!  I have no idea where to start or even what to write about.  I appreciate the support and structure that I, as a beginning author, so desperately need to reduce overwhelm and to move forward quickly.

Stage 2: January – March 2011

In the second stage of the program Christine and Lynne will change from teachers to coaches as we embrace the writing process and start writing our books.  We are expected to have Draft 1 finished by the end of March 2011.

Our coaches ask us to contemplate, “How great would it feel if I have the first draft of my book done by late March.”

What do I feel?  Fear! Where do I go from here?  Excitement! WOW!  Look how much I’ve accomplished!  Look at what I’ve done?  What’s next?

Visualization

Christine and Lynne then lead us in visualizing the following scenario.

It’s 6 months after my book has been published.  I’m doing my first speaking engagement before a live audience.  Who is my audience?  What else do they want? Visualize people reading and enjoying my books.

I see my sister, my biggest cheerleader, standing in the front row leading the applause.  Although I have challenges visualizing the other suggestions, I do come up with some goals which I can start working on to prepare me for my presentation well in advance.  My goals include enrolling in coaching and training – including Toastmasters, voice and speech, presentation skills….  I’ll continue to pursue acting courses to improve my self-confidence and to integrate my humor, energy and sense of fun so that I can engage and entertain my audience.

Wrap-up includes discussions on organizational tools and assignments and follow-up including social media.  Our coaches express their excitement about acting as midwives as we prepare to birth our books.

We, as a group, decide we would like to have a Facebook page set up to interact with each other.  I propose setting up a hashtag on Twitter, #GYBD.

Though the live program is already in process, if this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can access the home study course at Get Your Book Done Home Study Program.

Posted in Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Sailboat Ride of a Lifetime

Posted on September 21, 2010 by 2inspireu

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship. (Louisa May Alcott)

I can still see myself in the cockpit as the wind picks up, filling the sails… my hand on the tiller… boat heeled over on its side… water streaming over the gunwales, sliding along the deck…. a big grin spreading across  my face.  I love it!  The excitement and exhilaration as we get a puff of air that lifts the boat… the awesome power of the wind which propels us forward… the size of the whitecaps signalling up to 20 knots of wind, small craft warning… choppy seas… the bow crashing down hard as we plow through the waves… inhaling/ingesting the salt water which washes over me… blue sky, fluffy white clouds… the heat of the sun beating down on my bare back… wind picking up, we’re in for a wild ride, time to reef the foresail to spill the wind… “Ready to tack.”

I’ve experienced my share of storms in life and have had my challenges but now I’m back on the tiller, taking control of my ship – my life.  I’m excited at all the opportunities as I learn new things, regain my purpose and direction, share my passion and energy, and inspire others to reach their potential.

How would you like to join me on a sailboat ride of a lifetime – exploring new horizons on the sea of life, working together to inspire others  to weather the storms of life?

Posted in Inspiration | Tagged , , , , , , , | 11 Comments