Wake up and Smell the Roses

Hello there,
I've just watched a you tube video that brought tears to my eyes. As I explain and then send you to the link you'll certainly understand.

My friend sent me this link and just said to watch it. And I did, and I was.
What we see is a 47 year old woman making her stage debut on England's version of American Idol. The panel looks at her with humor and cynacism and expects her to be some sort of crazy woman. Then, she begins to sing and we are mesmerized.

As I watched, I wept ... for all the boomers ... and for all of everyone ... who has a dream and suppresses it. This woman struts out onstage and says, "I'm going to make that audience watch." She belts it out and you see the look of shock across the faces of Simon and his panel.

Many of you who know me, know that in my heart.. all I want is for people to feel passion and go for fulfillment. We all have talent, knowledge and dreams that are bursting to come forth.

I watched the video tonight after speaking to a professional group this afternoon. The name of the group doesn't matter. What does matter is that I hit a homerun. I know that as I walked that stage, making them laugh, getting them to think...that I got through. Following my speech there was a reception. Many people approached me with kind words. They told me that I made them think .. about things they want. One young woman sat down with me and for about 20 minutes told me how much she wants to move to Italy. Another person told me of her reinvention from one place to another and how she found love. All of my conversations led me to remember what life is really about: it's about creating life as you want it .. going for the gold, finding passion.

I know I sound redundant. I just can't help it. I'm excited. I'm also frustrated because when I run my workshops, I have a hard time attracting enough people. When I try to sell my book about my own reinvention ... few people buy it. I don't know how to break through to the masses and wake them up. How do I tell people to stop settling for less? How do I encourage them to go after life with zest?

That's my dilemma. I thank Susan Boyle for going after her desire.

(Go here to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY )

I'm so grateful I've been able to go after my dream. Now, what about the rest of you? Can I challenge you to take a few steps towards something new? What will it take?

Please ... wake up, smell the roses and go for it.
Ann