I'm Flabbergasted AND I'm Inspired

Cheers from Austin, TX, where I've been for the last 9 days ... part work, part vacation. Before that, I was in San Francisco for 4 days, but more about that in a moment.

So, I've just spent 9 days in the city that I lived in for 20 years and have been gone from for 3 years. I come here often, for clients, but most importantly, to visit my son and my friends. I love it here, well, except for the hot weather and humidity and traffic. It's beautiful and relaxing.

While here, I had several events to help launch my book and my new directions. I invited literally hundreds of people -- to a private party to celebrate, to a workshop on ReInventing and to an "official" book signing event at a local, independent bookstore. The workshop was a success -- 7 wonderful women came together to explore where they are in their lives and where they still hope to go. There were tears and there was laughter and there was a palpable sense of "wow"... so many possibilities and there was "oh, my God, how can I ever have that?" They bonded in under 5 hours and will continue to support each other. It was so gratifying to be part of that experience.
One woman signed up and then called that day to say her husband wanted her to stay home and help him work on the roof. So, she didn't come, even after signing up with a sense of urgency and desperation and a comment of "I have no passion in my life." Go figure.

The other events is what flabbergasted me. I have so many friends here and I really wanted to see them and share my excitement ... hardly anyone came to either event. I was hurt, disappointed and it triggered my issues of "nobody likes me" "everyone forgets me or rejects me" "what I'm doing isn't important." Amazing how quickly I can take it personally and feel small and insignificant.

Now, compare that with why I was in San Francisco: I attend the final weekend of a year-long course called Power & Contribution AND a Conference for Global Transformation. There were people there (like over 500) from all over the world. I've been in a class with 150 of them all year. Each of us has taken on a promise to change the world in some significant way and to devote our lives to that cause.

My Promise: By the year 2025, all people will be "reinventing" themselves for happiness and fulfillment and be inspired to make a difference in the world."


So, imagine .. I go to a global conference, I'm working to inspire people to take on FULFILLMENT in their lives and then I come to Austin and hardly anyone comes to see me and celebrate my launching of my book and my promise. That's the context. Now, here's the "what I see"/ the points of understanding:

1. People do what they do, and it has nothing to do with me -- so stop taking it personally. Sometimes people can't be with the excitement and celebration of others, especially if they are not excited and happy on their own.
2. As I move forward to have a global impact, I must realize that many (make that MOST) people will not be interested .. it's part of the challenge.
3. I need to get ahold of myself and stop being so sensitive and keep focused on what's really important to me. And, stop distracting myself with insignificant things and stop "settling" for less than what I deserve.
4. Never give up!!! When what you are about is important to you ... NEVER, ever, give up.

My message to you this day Boomers -- go after life with gusto, don't let what people think of you have any negative impact on you and keep taking one step after another.

Have a glorious week.
Ann