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

Focus -- and Passion

Good Afternoon,

Well, I've had my first lapse in  posting regularly. So sorry. Funny how life gets in the way.

I'm inspired today by someone I know very well who totally lives life on his terms. Now, in this case, he's not a boomer -- far from it. He's my son, Gabriel. Let me explain. He's such an example.

Gabriel is only 29. He's a singer and he's incredible. He has been single-focused since age 20 to make his singing career work. He can teach us about focus. 

I just returned from 3 days in Austin, Texas where he lives. I went there to see his band perform. It was a special "gig." I was blown away at how good they've become. You see, I've only heard them on CDs or on their myspace website. I don't live in Austin any more and they haven't performed in the Northeast yet where I live now.

One of the reasons Gabe is so focused and passionate is because I (and his Father too) really encouraged him to live his life doing what he loved. As I speak for myself -- from the hippie generation -- it's about loving what you do. Other parents warned us NOT to let him major in music; that it would be a waste of time; that he should get a "practical" degree. We said, "it's his life.. he should do whatever he wants that will make him happy."

So, what I notice from this is that the boomers -- we sort of settled, often into jobs of mediocrity and often worked for security and not for passion. Certainly not all of us. I did for a few years and then figured out how to do what I love. But, I'm lucky. The Generation Xers and Y's ... they go for what they want.

Point:  Pursue your dreams -- it's never too late. Love what you do, what gives you juice and passion. Don't give up on it ... keep trying. Rah, rah! (for the cheerleader in me)

Boomers -- hear me out. You deserve to spend the rest of your life doing what you love. Now, don't go and quit your job if you can't survive financially. Instead, start slowly, on the side, build up. When you're ready -- then you can quit. If you're already retired, start figuring it out.

On the heels of the weekend and my son and the fabulous music, etc., I got an opportunity this morning to do a short presentation for a local group. All I had was 10 minutes to close up an intense meeting. Well, in 10 minutes, I had them laughing, learning a new stress technique and they left with a shift in perspective and feeling much better. Many of them came up to me and thanked me. It was interesting to me. I was the closing speaker ... with only 10 minutes. There had been others before me ... but they loved what I did for them.

Why do I tell you that? Not to brag. Hey, speaking ... it's what I do, so I'd expect it to be good and helpful. I tell you because they "got" that they are the ones in control of how they feel. I shared my secrets for how to lighten up and feel good. They saw that they get to choose whether to feel good or feel bad. They got to see that they are in charge of their perspective. There's power in knowing that.  

It's all related: Do what you love, indulge your passion, realize that you can choose AND you're in charge of how you perceive things. 

I invite you to take charge and make some changes if you need to / want to.

Summary:

My trip to Austin --- Airfare/Transportation - $450.00

     Food/ Fun -- $100.00

     Hearing my son's band ... PRICELESS!

Have a great day.

Ann