Escaping Mediocrity

I'm sitting here pondering what to write... and what is on my mind at the moment is the new year because it's here, there and everywhere, so the best topic for this moment would have to be....2009!! What an amazing year! The end of the noughties.
Music has had a huge impact on me this year, more than ever before! I found more of a reason to dance (even with people watching ), and the songs were really inspirational. You know when you find a song that conveys what you feel inside so perfectly and you can listen to it over and over and not get tired of it, well it was kind of like that. There is nothing like a song to transform your mood and have an uplifting effect. So in a nutshell I'd say my 2009 adventure was like a musical, the year began seeming to be a drama but then it bust into song on Australia Day and after that it was as lively as The Sound of Music (I just wish I could sing like Julie Andrews). There certainly have been obstacles that have been dramatic at times, making it quite a powerful learning experience, but I'm sure it all happened for a reason. Maybe it's the difficulties within our journeys that help us to find our voice and escape mediocrity. I'm excited to find out what 2010 will bring to the musical, I'm going to try to keep dancing....
Thank you for encouraging the writing, I really enjoy it. Happy New Year!!

Sarah, I love your messages on mediocrity. Your perspective is one that I hold dear to my heart and live by every day of my life. I found my voice years ago when I began writing in classes at Columbia College in Chicago. I went on to teach Music and English and definitely subscribe to you mom's edict about "re-writing"...that's exactly the process I use. Hope you don't mind my leaving an example here of "my voice": http://tinyurl.com/yhfcnjp

This is such an inspiring site!

The short version of my parable:

My name is Nancy Madlin and for the first decades of my life I had lots of exterior things I desired and enjoyed, and a feeling of great emptiness and pain inside. When I chose instead to open up my insides and get to know what was there and how they worked and learn to love myself from the inside out, I began to see things differently, and feel things more. My exterior life changed as I let go, and I had strong feelings about losing those nice things I had desired. I learned many tools to integrate my feelings more positively into the external reality and I discovered many gifts. Now I am learning to relate those gifts to the external world and to let myself have again the exterior things I desire, this time with pleasure and the satisfaction of fully living.

The short version of my parable:


My name is Nancy Madlin and for the first decades of my life I had lots of exterior things I desired and enjoyed, and a feeling of great emptiness and pain inside. When I chose instead to open up my insides and get to know what was there and how they worked and learn to love myself from the inside out, I began to see things differently, and feel things more. My exterior life changed as I let go, and I had strong feelings about losing those nice things I had desired. I learned many tools to integrate my feelings more positively into the external reality and I discovered many gifts. Now I am learning to relate those gifts to the external world and to let myself have again the exterior things I desire, this time with pleasure and the satisfaction of fully living.

I have spent many days pondering your blog and thinking about my 'parable'. In doing so, I realized a number of things. I don't really keep my own blog, so I'm just going to post it here.

*****

I’m not sure I ever thought or planned too much about the path to a specific career for myself. At one point, my path was leading me to become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). But some choices made in my personal life lead me down a different path.

At a much too young age, I got married. Following my husband’s ambitions, we bought a small business, a used book exchange. Within a few months we realized that the majority of our profits were made in the small comic book section, so we changed direction and opened our first dedicated comic book store. Over the next seven years we grew our company to three locations in two states with sales of over $1.5 million annually.

What I learned about business in those years has been invaluable, even though I didn’t realize it at the time.

Eventually the personal relationship fell apart and the business as split up in the process. Feeling the need to make a clean break and start a new chapter in my life, I liquidated my portion of the company.

So begins my life as an ‘employee.’ I was more than ready for this. Being a business owner is all consuming. It has to be, in some respects, in order to be successful. I was ready to work for someone else. – be able to go home and not worry about the business; work on bookkeeping, orders, and whatever else needed to get done that can’t be done while ‘minding the store(s).” And there’s some security in know how much you’ll be depositing into your bank account every week.

It didn’t take long for me to realize though, that I couldn’t work with an ‘employee’ mindset. I was constantly thinking of what I could do to increase the company I worked for. I performed every task as if it was the most important task of my day. I took ‘ownership’ of the company I worked for. By working with this mentality, I had a ‘voice’ in the company. The owner, manager, or CEO would listen to my suggestions and comments. They may not have agreed or implemented them, but they listened and respected my opinions.

After 16 years of working for a local privately owned company, I decided that I would prefer to work from home if at all possible. It wasn’t long before I was offered a position as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of a virtual assistant company. Within less than 6 months I have become invaluable to her. I accomplished this by making her company, my company. I feel that if every employee would adopt this mentality - this work ethic - businesses would grow, customers/clients would be flocking to these businesses, employees will feel more valuable, and management would be happier.

With this revelation, I hope to be able to help others to see how to 'take ownership' and become invaluable to their superiors.

I have spent many days pondering your blog and thinking about my 'parable'. In doing so, I realized a number of things. I don't really keep my own blog, so I'm just going to post it here.


*****



I’m not sure I ever thought or planned too much about the path to a specific career for myself. At one point, my path was leading me to become a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). But some choices made in my personal life lead me down a different path.



At a much too young age, I got married. Following my husband’s ambitions, we bought a small business, a used book exchange. Within a few months we realized that the majority of our profits were made in the small comic book section, so we changed direction and opened our first dedicated comic book store. Over the next seven years we grew our company to three locations in two states with sales of over $1.5 million annually.



What I learned about business in those years has been invaluable, even though I didn’t realize it at the time.



Eventually the personal relationship fell apart and the business as split up in the process. Feeling the need to make a clean break and start a new chapter in my life, I liquidated my portion of the company.



So begins my life as an ‘employee.’ I was more than ready for this. Being a business owner is all consuming. It has to be, in some respects, in order to be successful. I was ready to work for someone else. – be able to go home and not worry about the business; work on bookkeeping, orders, and whatever else needed to get done that can’t be done while ‘minding the store(s).” And there’s some security in know how much you’ll be depositing into your bank account every week.



It didn’t take long for me to realize though, that I couldn’t work with an ‘employee’ mindset. I was constantly thinking of what I could do to increase the company I worked for. I performed every task as if it was the most important task of my day. I took ‘ownership’ of the company I worked for. By working with this mentality, I had a ‘voice’ in the company. The owner, manager, or CEO would listen to my suggestions and comments. They may not have agreed or implemented them, but they listened and respected my opinions.



After 16 years of working for a local privately owned company, I decided that I would prefer to work from home if at all possible. It wasn’t long before I was offered a position as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of a virtual assistant company. Within less than 6 months I have become invaluable to her. I accomplished this by making her company, my company. I feel that if every employee would adopt this mentality - this work ethic - businesses would grow, customers/clients would be flocking to these businesses, employees will feel more valuable, and management would be happier.



With this revelation, I hope to be able to help others to see how to 'take ownership' and become invaluable to their superiors.

Sarah, I think you are absolutely right. We all need to be part of the conversation!

Each of us possesses a unique work in life and, only with exceeding unfruitful effort, can we contain an innate yearning to share it. It is to that end we must find our voice and be ourselves. Like a good wine, however, we cannot rush the process. Margaret Atwood tells us, “We can only find our own meaning in our own time.” Let no one fool you. It is much easier to talk about finding our voice than it is to actually uncover and share it. A battle rages deep within us that pits our desire to be liked, accepted, and appreciated with an inconvenient calling to serve—to speak out for those who have not a voice of their own. Luciano Pavarotti said, “The rivalry is with our self. I try to be better than is possible. I fight against myself, not against the other.” This is an important matter.

Oft times, it appears we are left with little choice but to set aside everything we stand for as we search for our true self. In the subtle convergence of time and place, we are surprised to learn our voice, through authenticity and personal truth, seems to finds us—in so doing, it gives our life rich intonation. It also gives us the courage not only to open a new door in our life, but to walk through it—to cross a threshold to newfound freedom.

Courage, however, can be evasive, but it is necessary all the same. You see, not every door will open to self-actualization; many will present challenges, trials, and tribulations that cause us to shake in our boots. Others will illuminate our greatest fears: isolation, loneliness, despair. Perseverance brings success. As many of your readers have indicated, Sarah, there is a unique door for each person that leads to the right path; we need only to find it, open it, and walk through. For me, the key to that door, the key to finding my voice, was to realize my voice was never really mine; it belongs to everyone and it must be used for the benefit of all.

Part of my uniqueness, much like that expressed by Colin, was shaped in my early years. As a child, I was involved in an auto accident that came precariously close to taking my life. I essentially recall every detail and, even at a young age, was impressed with the notion life is fragile. We should make the very best of it. As time progressed, I became more aware of my existence and realized it is no longer good enough to simply make the best of my life; I must do what I can to make life better for others. To do so means stepping out of my comfort zone. It also means stepping headstrong into the comfort zone of others. Such, for me, is finding one’s voice.

From where I stand, our tendency, time and time again, is to shake the hand of a well-dressed business man before we reach out to the homeless. Our tendency, time and time again, is to fear what we think can happen to us forgetting all the good that can come to another if we but extend our hand in friendship. Something Mother Teresa said comes into play here: “Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received (aka, our voice!) and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.” We are easily ashamed, I suppose, because our tendency, time and time again, is to think of our voice as merely another unworthy instrument to be heard among the roar of millions when, in fact, our voice—just one voice—has the power to illuminate the prevailing darkness that holds so many hostage. You see, our voice, when used to help another, is without limit; it remains unbounded. It is during those times when we step out of our comfort zone and, as warranted, invade the comfort zone of others, that we not only end the silence of our own misfortune, but we end the misfortune that affects so many others. Our voice, in responding to the pleas and the cries of others, proliferates, swelling over the banks of a mighty river much like love swoops in as a fair luminous mist curling to fill empty spaces and uninhabited places of the heart.

Having found our voice, we cannot be selfish with it; nor, should I think, we would want to. Our voice finds us because we are the only one in all of Creation who can use it for the good of humanity. It finds us because no other exists who can wield it, like King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, in pursuit of truth, honor, freedom, and love. You see, when you get right down to the heart of the matter, our voice really isn’t ours at all. It belongs to humanity, and it wants to be heard. And, it seems to me, those around us need to hear it.

Thank you, Sarah, for yet another profoound and insightful post!

Absolutely brilliant posts here, Sarah!!
Finding one's voice/passion seems to resonate with many people~~many, on the path and others that have discovered "why they get up every day."
Thanks to all that have posted & shared their stories. I am inspired by ALL. And thanks, Sarah, for inspiring us with your dedication to adventure of Escaping Mediocrity and finding our authentic selves, which leads to living our purpose!
YAY!!

Absolutely brilliant posts here, Sarah!!
Finding one's voice/passion seems to resonate with many people~~many, on the path and others that have discovered "why they get up every day."

Thanks to all that have posted & shared their stories. I am inspired by ALL. And thanks, Sarah, for inspiring us with your dedication to adventure of Escaping Mediocrity and finding our authentic selves, which leads to living our purpose!

YAY!!

Sarah, I think you are absolutely right. We all need to be part of the conversation!


Each of us possesses a unique work in life and, only with exceeding unfruitful effort, can we contain an innate yearning to share it. It is to that end we must find our voice and be ourselves. Like a good wine, however, we cannot rush the process. Margaret Atwood tells us, “We can only find our own meaning in our own time.” Let no one fool you. It is much easier to talk about finding our voice than it is to actually uncover and share it. A battle rages deep within us that pits our desire to be liked, accepted, and appreciated with an inconvenient calling to serve—to speak out for those who have not a voice of their own. Luciano Pavarotti said, “The rivalry is with our self. I try to be better than is possible. I fight against myself, not against the other.” This is an important matter.



Oft times, it appears we are left with little choice but to set aside everything we stand for as we search for our true self. In the subtle convergence of time and place, we are surprised to learn our voice, through authenticity and personal truth, seems to finds us—in so doing, it gives our life rich intonation. It also gives us the courage not only to open a new door in our life, but to walk through it—to cross a threshold to newfound freedom.



Courage, however, can be evasive, but it is necessary all the same. You see, not every door will open to self-actualization; many will present challenges, trials, and tribulations that cause us to shake in our boots. Others will illuminate our greatest fears: isolation, loneliness, despair. Perseverance brings success. As many of your readers have indicated, Sarah, there is a unique door for each person that leads to the right path; we need only to find it, open it, and walk through. For me, the key to that door, the key to finding my voice, was to realize my voice was never really mine; it belongs to everyone and it must be used for the benefit of all.



Part of my uniqueness, much like that expressed by Colin, was shaped in my early years. As a child, I was involved in an auto accident that came precariously close to taking my life. I essentially recall every detail and, even at a young age, was impressed with the notion life is fragile. We should make the very best of it. As time progressed, I became more aware of my existence and realized it is no longer good enough to simply make the best of my life; I must do what I can to make life better for others. To do so means stepping out of my comfort zone. It also means stepping headstrong into the comfort zone of others. Such, for me, is finding one’s voice.



From where I stand, our tendency, time and time again, is to shake the hand of a well-dressed business man before we reach out to the homeless. Our tendency, time and time again, is to fear what we think can happen to us forgetting all the good that can come to another if we but extend our hand in friendship. Something Mother Teresa said comes into play here: “Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received (aka, our voice!) and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.” We are easily ashamed, I suppose, because our tendency, time and time again, is to think of our voice as merely another unworthy instrument to be heard among the roar of millions when, in fact, our voice—just one voice—has the power to illuminate the prevailing darkness that holds so many hostage. You see, our voice, when used to help another, is without limit; it remains unbounded. It is during those times when we step out of our comfort zone and, as warranted, invade the comfort zone of others, that we not only end the silence of our own misfortune, but we end the misfortune that affects so many others. Our voice, in responding to the pleas and the cries of others, proliferates, swelling over the banks of a mighty river much like love swoops in as a fair luminous mist curling to fill empty spaces and uninhabited places of the heart.



Having found our voice, we cannot be selfish with it; nor, should I think, we would want to. Our voice finds us because we are the only one in all of Creation who can use it for the good of humanity. It finds us because no other exists who can wield it, like King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, in pursuit of truth, honor, freedom, and love. You see, when you get right down to the heart of the matter, our voice really isn’t ours at all. It belongs to humanity, and it wants to be heard. And, it seems to me, those around us need to hear it.



Thank you, Sarah, for yet another profoound and insightful post!

Although I can't imagine how difficult your early years were, Colin, if they've shaped who you've become and are becoming, I have to be grateful that they were part of your experience.


You touch so many lives in so many ways, and I know this will only continue to increase.

Thanks! I feel blessed every day that I get to speak, consult, train, and write, and to share inspiration, motivation and tools with others. I'm am really "in the zone" and "in the flow of the Universe" when doing this. Thanks for all you do to help people "keep it real"!

Sarah...thank you for this post. Like you and Ava I often look back at what I was doing in my early years, starting off life in one foster home after another until adopted by my parents at 7. I believe my mission is very much shaped by those early years, by being fortunate to be adopted into a safe loving environment...although later my adopted father and I grew apart I discovered much of it was to do with both my own and his problems associated with abondenment....But they lifted me into a better place and by doing so I was able to develop a career and ability that now affords me to provide both an opportunity to help under priviliged children and a product that many life long learners around the world are now buying to grow their own wisdom and help others.

As I develop my mission of helping others I am often reminded studies show that we must recapture—or prevent the loss of—such child-like traits as the ability to learn, to love, to laugh about small things, to leap, to wonder, and to explore. Traits that I hope through my Wisdom Notes I help others capture and help orphans live a better life - so I believe my mission is the gift of knowledge which can indeed make a significant difference in our world.

Colin
http://www.wisdomnote.com

Although I can't imagine how difficult your early years were, Colin, if they've shaped who you've become and are becoming, I have to be grateful that they were part of your experience.

You touch so many lives in so many ways, and I know this will only continue to increase.

Sarah...thank you for this post. Like you and Ava I often look back at what I was doing in my early years, starting off life in one foster home after another until adopted by my parents at 7. I believe my mission is very much shaped by those early years, by being fortunate to be adopted into a safe loving environment...although later my adopted father and I grew apart I discovered much of it was to do with both my own and his problems associated with abondenment....But they lifted me into a better place and by doing so I was able to develop a career and ability that now affords me to provide both an opportunity to help under priviliged children and a product that many life long learners around the world are now buying to grow their own wisdom and help others.


As I develop my mission of helping others I am often reminded studies show that we must recapture—or prevent the loss of—such child-like traits as the ability to learn, to love, to laugh about small things, to leap, to wonder, and to explore. Traits that I hope through my Wisdom Notes I help others capture and help orphans live a better life - so I believe my mission is the gift of knowledge which can indeed make a significant difference in our world.



Colin

http://www.wisdomnote.com

Amazing! I am in the middle of writing right now on a concept that defines my human experience professionally thus far. I found this blog at just the right time. The universe does some crazy things for us a lot of times. I have transitioned out of a partnership and into a reflection period VERY recently and am going to be blogging much more about what I'm truly passionate about: Spirituality/Mindset, Health, and Real Estate. Mostly the spiritual side of me because I can't ignore my deep connection to the greater energy we live in.

Thank you for being your true self and I look forward to reading more!

RyanOD

Thank you Ben - the conversation over the past two days has been truly fascinating!

Sometimes when my clients are really REALLY stuck trying to uncover their passion, I ask them to re-visit their seven year old selves. What did the seven year old self LOVE to do? Get lost in? Feel mesmerized by? Your story is exactly the reason I ask those questions. You are so fortunate that you held fast to that passion and let it drive you to doing what you love today. Just awesome. :-)

Carolyn I am honored by your courage and the beauty of your story. I am a firm believe in the metaphors life brings our way. The "gates" you talk about are so powerful in that regard. Thank you for sharing them - and you - with all of us. :-)

Amazing! I am in the middle of writing right now on a concept that defines my human experience professionally thus far. I found this blog at just the right time. The universe does some crazy things for us a lot of times. I have transitioned out of a partnership and into a reflection period VERY recently and am going to be blogging much more about what I'm truly passionate about: Spirituality/Mindset, Health, and Real Estate. Mostly the spiritual side of me because I can't ignore my deep connection to the greater energy we live in.


Thank you for being your true self and I look forward to reading more!



RyanOD

Powerful! Thanks so much for sharing your story. Love your opening questions...provoking us all to stop and reflect...and perhaps open new doors of insight on our own story and where we're heading!

Thank you Ben - the conversation over the past two days has been truly fascinating!

Here's my story:
When I was seven years old, I asked my dad to set up a card table and chairs in the garage so I could have a little school for the other kids in the neighborhood. I invited four younger kids on my block to come over for my school the next day. My mom helped me round up paper, pencils, crayons, and elbow macaroni and string. I also brought out the pink plastic shoe I’d learned to tie my shoes on.

By the next morning, I was leading those kids in drawing, coloring, learning to tie their shoes, and making macaroni necklaces. A career was born!

In the third grade, I volunteered to work with the class of mentally disabled children in my school. By junior high, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My first career, for my first 4 years out of college, was as a high school English teacher. I then moved into the corporate world, consult and train. And, I founded a speaking, consulting and training firm in 1995.

It all started with a little seven year-old girl who somehow knew what she loved to do and what her innate talent was. I am committed to helping people achieve success—in business and in life.

My current mission is to "imspire and empower people to live their dreams." It's been evolving since I was seven. Loved reading the comments and your blog!

Sometimes when my clients are really REALLY stuck trying to uncover their passion, I ask them to re-visit their seven year old selves. What did the seven year old self LOVE to do? Get lost in? Feel mesmerized by? Your story is exactly the reason I ask those questions. You are so fortunate that you held fast to that passion and let it drive you to doing what you love today. Just awesome. :-)

Thanks! I feel blessed every day that I get to speak, consult, train, and write, and to share inspiration, motivation and tools with others. I'm am really "in the zone" and "in the flow of the Universe" when doing this. Thanks for all you do to help people "keep it real"!

Powerful! Thanks so much for sharing your story. Love your opening questions...provoking us all to stop and reflect...and perhaps open new doors of insight on our own story and where we're heading!

Here's my story:
When I was seven years old, I asked my dad to set up a card table and chairs in the garage so I could have a little school for the other kids in the neighborhood. I invited four younger kids on my block to come over for my school the next day. My mom helped me round up paper, pencils, crayons, and elbow macaroni and string. I also brought out the pink plastic shoe I’d learned to tie my shoes on.



By the next morning, I was leading those kids in drawing, coloring, learning to tie their shoes, and making macaroni necklaces. A career was born!



In the third grade, I volunteered to work with the class of mentally disabled children in my school. By junior high, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. My first career, for my first 4 years out of college, was as a high school English teacher. I then moved into the corporate world, consult and train. And, I founded a speaking, consulting and training firm in 1995.



It all started with a little seven year-old girl who somehow knew what she loved to do and what her innate talent was. I am committed to helping people achieve success—in business and in life.



My current mission is to "imspire and empower people to live their dreams." It's been evolving since I was seven. Loved reading the comments and your blog!

Sarah, than you for sharing about yourself. It makes sense that you do what you are doing. :-)) My story is one of reinventing myself at the age of 48. I left a 20 year marriage, left a 25 year career, got sober, became a photograppher and authored/photographed a book, "Opening the Gates of the Heart", which is my journey through the gates of despair to joy and peace. I think the thing that catapulted me into what I am now doing, is that, once sober and having become a photographer, I discovered some gates in a small northern California community. They were/are wrought iron gates, sitting unused at the base of the properties of mansions. I fell in love with their beauty... the light reflecting off the metal, the brick and stone, the foliage, the workmanship. After some point, however, they ceased being objects of beauty and became representative of my heart, closed from past hurts and despair. This realization has led me on a journey which has produced the book and which has allowed me to open the gates of my heart. If you're interested, I am telling the story of the gates on my blog post, www.gatesoftheheart.wordpress.com. Join me if you're interested. :-)) Thank you again for sharing your story and for providing a forun for me to share mine.

Carolyn I am honored by your courage and the beauty of your story. I am a firm believe in the metaphors life brings our way. The "gates" you talk about are so powerful in that regard. Thank you for sharing them - and you - with all of us. :-)

Another great -- and timely -- post, Sarah. Just an hour ago, I finished a coaching call with a client on this very subject. It is so damn exciting to find our own voices and help others to find theirs. And you're right: It begins by telling your story, often in mini-stories. Who doesn't love a story?!

Yours and mine are siminlar, Sarah. I took a high position of responsibility, got great results, won a slew of awards... and had to work so hard just to get myself psyched on the drive to work. Praise was very very hard to come by, but there was no shortage of "constructive criticism". (If it's so constructive, why did I feel so crappy?) When I left, I found my passion, which had been there all along just waiting for me to give it the time of day. Now, as a coach, I have the best clients, and it is such a joy working with them. Keeping focused on joy allows me to also still do some work in advertising -- but always with people I enjoy doing creative projects that I love.

I truly believe that when we tap into our hearts desires, our lives take off in amazing ways. As someone said here, "The Universe rushes in to support you." I hope your post will touch many lives today and encourage folks to take that first step: "What is your story?"

I love it! I think so often people are afraid to tell the "underbelly" of their story - afraid it will make them look weak in some way. But isn't it the soft underbelly that actually connects us all? Story telling is POWERFUL - and as long as the ones we tell about ourselves are honest and real - they weave a magic spell that is irreplaceable.

I am so digging this conversation!

Sarah, Thank you! I am doing this today.

Wow Kevin - I know whatever you come up with will be AMAZING!

What a great story and thanks for sharing. I think this will provide me with the inspiration to finally sit and write down some thoughts myself. I work in communications for others but never spend the time cultivating my own voice. I received a link to this story via a couple of people I follow on twitter, so we have a few connections in common. Nice to see that sort of convergence happen. Have a good day!

Yay for you! Hope you will share some of what you come up with!!
Sarah

Thanks for the thoughts, Sarah - excellent article. I actually did something similar to this a couple weeks ago, and posted it on my site (you can find it here: http://www.itstartswith.us/blog/2009/09/09/a-so...). But I'll pull out the "parable" portion and include it in these comments.

My first child was born very shortly after the attacks of 9/11.

I can remember sitting on my couch, watching the smoking towers burn, crumble and fall, live and in color, right in front of my eyes. I could see people jumping from the windows.

I was crying. Mourning the massive loss of life that day, and weeping for my little boy who was about to be born into a world where such tragedy occurs — a world of constant pain and struggle. I cried out to God on that day, and I promised that I would live my life for Him . . . and for others.

I am sorry to admit that I did not honor my promise immediately. I could list a hundred things that happened in my life that kept me from being true to my word, but it would be disingenuous of me to use them as excuses. The truth is that I was selfish, and I was lazy. I chose not to commit.

But I believe in forgiveness, and I believe in hope. I believe that late is better than never. I am starting now.

We can’t control what happens to us in this life, but we can control our response to it.

So here’s mine: http://www.itstartswith.us/change-the-world/.

Forming this group is my response to the pain and loss we all felt that day. It’s the fulfillment of a promise I made eight years ago, and am only now mature enough to put into action.

It’s not a charity, and it’s not about trying to feel special. It’s about doing tangible things to help others and make a difference in their lives — to make this world a better place for my children. It’s a way to help me keep my mind on what is really important in this life.

Our thoughts are so similar, I'm beginning to think we are the same person. LOVE your story - so human, so true, so vulnerable. Starting now beats the hell out of never starting and you know I'm IN for Changing the World. And thanks for the powerful reminder: It's ALL about commitment.

Sarah, than you for sharing about yourself. It makes sense that you do what you are doing. :-)) My story is one of reinventing myself at the age of 48. I left a 20 year marriage, left a 25 year career, got sober, became a photograppher and authored/photographed a book, "Opening the Gates of the Heart", which is my journey through the gates of despair to joy and peace. I think the thing that catapulted me into what I am now doing, is that, once sober and having become a photographer, I discovered some gates in a small northern California community. They were/are wrought iron gates, sitting unused at the base of the properties of mansions. I fell in love with their beauty... the light reflecting off the metal, the brick and stone, the foliage, the workmanship. After some point, however, they ceased being objects of beauty and became representative of my heart, closed from past hurts and despair. This realization has led me on a journey which has produced the book and which has allowed me to open the gates of my heart. If you're interested, I am telling the story of the gates on my blog post, www.gatesoftheheart.wordpress.com. Join me if you're interested. :-)) Thank you again for sharing your story and for providing a forun for me to share mine.

I love it! I think so often people are afraid to tell the "underbelly" of their story - afraid it will make them look weak in some way. But isn't it the soft underbelly that actually connects us all? Story telling is POWERFUL - and as long as the ones we tell about ourselves are honest and real - they weave a magic spell that is irreplaceable.


I am so digging this conversation!

Another great -- and timely -- post, Sarah. Just an hour ago, I finished a coaching call with a client on this very subject. It is so damn exciting to find our own voices and help others to find theirs. And you're right: It begins by telling your story, often in mini-stories. Who doesn't love a story?!


Yours and mine are siminlar, Sarah. I took a high position of responsibility, got great results, won a slew of awards... and had to work so hard just to get myself psyched on the drive to work. Praise was very very hard to come by, but there was no shortage of "constructive criticism". (If it's so constructive, why did I feel so crappy?) When I left, I found my passion, which had been there all along just waiting for me to give it the time of day. Now, as a coach, I have the best clients, and it is such a joy working with them. Keeping focused on joy allows me to also still do some work in advertising -- but always with people I enjoy doing creative projects that I love.



I truly believe that when we tap into our hearts desires, our lives take off in amazing ways. As someone said here, "The Universe rushes in to support you." I hope your post will touch many lives today and encourage folks to take that first step: "What is your story?"

Wow Kevin - I now whatever you come up with will be AMAZING!

Yay for you! Hope you will share some of what you come up with!!
Sarah

Sarah, Thank you! I am doing this today.

I am so in this place right now -- trying to figure out and dig deep for that big "why."
Your "Escaping Mediocrity" mantra reminds me of Julia Roberts' line in "Steel Magnolias:" "I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a whole lifetime of nothing special." Let's take that further and create a whole lifetime of wonderful. That's what you are doing here.
Thank you for sharing your quitting (twice) story. Those seemingly low points are in fact our catapults to all of the greatness that is ours if we choose to believe and then go for it.
xoxo Allison

Writing this on my hand and on my wall: " 'I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a whole lifetime of nothing special.' Let's take that further and create a whole lifetime of wonderful." Takes my breathe away.

Our thoughts are so similar, I'm beginning to think we are the same person. LOVE your story - so human, so true, so vulnerable. Starting now beats the hell out of never starting and you know I'm IN for Changing the World. And thanks for the powerful reminder: It's ALL about commitment.

What an incredible exercise that you've shared with us today Sarah! Thanks a million. It's so easy to fall into the trap of setting your goals based on the goals of the people around you. I hear a lot of people setting a goal of making a million dollars per year and I found myself setting the same goal just because that's what many people around me were doing. But I quickly realized that I don't need a million dollar per year income especially if it means that I would have to work more hours and get out of balance.

My dream from the age of 14 was to own a health club. I realized that dream when I was 24 but it sure didn't turn out the way I had envisioned it to be. I was working 16 hour days, couldn't spend time with my wife, and I was really missing my two young children. I became depressed and ended up closing the health club and claiming bankruptcy.

That moment opened up the door to many possibilities. I began learning about online marketing and was really excited about the idea of being able to touch many more lives around the world than I ever could as a personal trainer in my community.

I've created several fitness programs that have helped many people and brought me a great deal of satisfaction, but I still didn't feel like I was operating completely in line with my purpose.

After doing some soul searching, thinking about who I love to work with the most and what is most in line with my purpose I recognized that what brings me the most joy is helping work-at-home-moms and dads incorporate quick home office workouts into their days to boost their productivity and help them get more done in less time throughout their workday so they can spend more time with their families and doing the things that they enjoy most in life.

I love helping busy homepreneurs achieve a more balanced lifestyle. I've fallen into the trap of spending many hours in front of the computer thinking that it would mean that I would make more money. But I quickly found that by living a more balanced lifestyle and stepping away from the computer to enjoy my family and take care of my health, actually increased my income even though I was spending less time in front of the computer.

I've never been happier, never experienced such a rewarding feeling, and never felt so in-tune with ME than I do now. It was a burden trying to be everything to everyone in the fitness niche. I never felt that I could truly be myself. Now that I am focused on helping wahms and wahds transform their fitness, business, and life, I can 100% be myself and I truly feel complete.

Thanks for the great post and sparking a great conversation.

Scott Tousignant

Beautifully said Scott. Your story (which I hope you tell OFTEN) is as inspiring as the work you do. As my friend Elizabeth likes to say "once you are a 'on message' everything else falls into place like magic." You are so clearly on message - and it is inspiring to wathc. :-)

Thanks Sarah. I certainly do tell my story often and enjoy sharing it. I dished out a lot of this story when Nicole Dean interviewed me for her "Online Success Cast" http://nicoleonthenet.com/2009/online-success-c...

I shared my ups and downs and how I define success. It received a lot of great listener feedback.

Elizabeth is so right! Life does become magical when you are on message. I've got a twinkle in my eye and skip in my step each and everyday because I feel totally on message with my business and life.

What a great story and thanks for sharing. I think this will provide me with the inspiration to finally sit and write down some thoughts myself. I work in communications for others but never spend the time cultivating my own voice. I received a link to this story via a couple of people I follow on twitter, so we have a few connections in common. Nice to see that sort of convergence happen. Have a good day!

Thanks Sarah. I certainly do tell my story often and enjoy sharing it. I dished out a lot of this story when Nicole Dean interviewed me for her "Online Success Cast" http://nicoleonthenet.com/2009/online-success-c...


I shared my ups and downs and how I define success. It received a lot of great listener feedback.



Elizabeth is so right! Life does become magical when you are on message. I've got a twinkle in my eye and skip in my step each and everyday because I feel totally on message with my business and life.

Thanks for the thoughts, Sarah - excellent article. I actually did something similar to this a couple weeks ago, and posted it on my site (you can find it here: http://www.itstartswith.us/blog/2009/09/09/a-so...). But I'll pull out the "parable" portion and include it in these comments.


My first child was born very shortly after the attacks of 9/11.



I can remember sitting on my couch, watching the smoking towers burn, crumble and fall, live and in color, right in front of my eyes. I could see people jumping from the windows.



I was crying. Mourning the massive loss of life that day, and weeping for my little boy who was about to be born into a world where such tragedy occurs — a world of constant pain and struggle. I cried out to God on that day, and I promised that I would live my life for Him . . . and for others.



I am sorry to admit that I did not honor my promise immediately. I could list a hundred things that happened in my life that kept me from being true to my word, but it would be disingenuous of me to use them as excuses. The truth is that I was selfish, and I was lazy. I chose not to commit.



But I believe in forgiveness, and I believe in hope. I believe that late is better than never. I am starting now.



We can’t control what happens to us in this life, but we can control our response to it.



So here’s mine: http://www.itstartswith.us/change-the-world/.



Forming this group is my response to the pain and loss we all felt that day. It’s the fulfillment of a promise I made eight years ago, and am only now mature enough to put into action.



It’s not a charity, and it’s not about trying to feel special. It’s about doing tangible things to help others and make a difference in their lives — to make this world a better place for my children. It’s a way to help me keep my mind on what is really important in this life.

Writing this on my hand and on my wall: " 'I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a whole lifetime of nothing special.' Let's take that further and create a whole lifetime of wonderful." Takes my breathe away.

Beautifully said Scott. Your story (which I hope you tell OFTEN) is as inspiring as the work you do. As my friend Elizabeth likes to say "once you are a 'on message' everything else falls into place like magic." You are so clearly on message - and it is inspiring to wathc. :-)

Can't wait to hear MORE about your adventure. Thank you for so transparently sharing your story. :-)

A beautiful reminder about Universal Law, Terry. As one of my friends says to me often "Leap and the net will appear". Sometimes I think the very best net of all is the net we create by sharing our stories with others - THEY become the net. :-)

Why I love this post... It is actually quite simple... it rings true for so many of us who are stuck in situations where we consistently perform at high levels and are undervalued and under appreciated. It is a very frustrating position to be in and one that ultimately, as Sarah so aptly pointed out begins to take hold of your life and affect your personal relationships... I relate to this post in so many ways that it is quite scary and about 2 months ago found myself in a position where it had become completely unbearable to come to work each day, not because of work, but the pressures and stress were ultimately affecting my relationship with my family... Two months ago I began to change my game, I began working through the things that were bothering me and have ultimately begun a new path, a new journey...and while it is still young, fresh and I am traversing uncharted territory for myself I am excited about the potential, the opportunity and the reality that there really is a better way. This new endeavour has also allowed me to connect with people like Sarah and I am eternally grateful to them for the time they spend sharing their stories and experiences with all of us.

Thanks for Sharing Sarah, I look forward to reading more.

L

Can't wait to hear MORE about your adventure. Thank you for so transparently sharing your story. :-)

I love the crystal clear beaut of your "live" a-ha moment Nicky. :-) Keep digging away at that "bliss" - can't WAIT to talk about it further. :-)

I am so in this place right now -- trying to figure out and dig deep for that big "why."
Your "Escaping Mediocrity" mantra reminds me of Julia Roberts' line in "Steel Magnolias:" "I'd rather have 30 minutes of wonderful than a whole lifetime of nothing special." Let's take that further and create a whole lifetime of wonderful. That's what you are doing here.

Thank you for sharing your quitting (twice) story. Those seemingly low points are in fact our catapults to all of the greatness that is ours if we choose to believe and then go for it.

xoxo Allison

What an incredible exercise that you've shared with us today Sarah! Thanks a million. It's so easy to fall into the trap of setting your goals based on the goals of the people around you. I hear a lot of people setting a goal of making a million dollars per year and I found myself setting the same goal just because that's what many people around me were doing. But I quickly realized that I don't need a million dollar per year income especially if it means that I would have to work more hours and get out of balance.


My dream from the age of 14 was to own a health club. I realized that dream when I was 24 but it sure didn't turn out the way I had envisioned it to be. I was working 16 hour days, couldn't spend time with my wife, and I was really missing my two young children. I became depressed and ended up closing the health club and claiming bankruptcy.



That moment opened up the door to many possibilities. I began learning about online marketing and was really excited about the idea of being able to touch many more lives around the world than I ever could as a personal trainer in my community.



I've created several fitness programs that have helped many people and brought me a great deal of satisfaction, but I still didn't feel like I was operating completely in line with my purpose.



After doing some soul searching, thinking about who I love to work with the most and what is most in line with my purpose I recognized that what brings me the most joy is helping work-at-home-moms and dads incorporate quick home office workouts into their days to boost their productivity and help them get more done in less time throughout their workday so they can spend more time with their families and doing the things that they enjoy most in life.



I love helping busy homepreneurs achieve a more balanced lifestyle. I've fallen into the trap of spending many hours in front of the computer thinking that it would mean that I would make more money. But I quickly found that by living a more balanced lifestyle and stepping away from the computer to enjoy my family and take care of my health, actually increased my income even though I was spending less time in front of the computer.



I've never been happier, never experienced such a rewarding feeling, and never felt so in-tune with ME than I do now. It was a burden trying to be everything to everyone in the fitness niche. I never felt that I could truly be myself. Now that I am focused on helping wahms and wahds transform their fitness, business, and life, I can 100% be myself and I truly feel complete.



Thanks for the great post and sparking a great conversation.



Scott Tousignant

Why I love this post... It is actually quite simple... it rings true for so many of us who are stuck in situations where we consistently perform at high levels and are undervalued and under appreciated. It is a very frustrating position to be in and one that ultimately, as Sarah so aptly pointed out begins to take hold of your life and affect your personal relationships... I relate to this post in so many ways that it is quite scary and about 2 months ago found myself in a position where it had become completely unbearable to come to work each day, not because of work, but the pressures and stress were ultimately affecting my relationship with my family... Two months ago I began to change my game, I began working through the things that were bothering me and have ultimately begun a new path, a new journey...and while it is still young, fresh and I am traversing uncharted territory for myself I am excited about the potential, the opportunity and the reality that there really is a better. This new endeavour has also allowed me to connect with people like Sarah and I am eternally grateful to them for the time they spend sharing their stories and experiences with all of us.


Thanks for Sharing Sarah, I look forward to reading me.



L

Perhaps. It would be awesome to be able to work for a mental health organization, or something similar. Unfortunately a lot of them are non profit and don't want a dedicated marketing/promotions person. backwards, I know. Someday...

It's very hopeful to know that we all have the ability to re-write our own story. My story is similar to yours in that I eventually left a career that lead to an empty life (after nearly 30 years!). I finally realized that I needed to please myself more than any one else. Once we fall in love with who we are and believe in ourselves, we can finally follow our own heart to wonderful and meaningful destinations. The main thing is to keep moving in the direction our heart leads. I believe there are many people who are longing for more in their lives. The more we discuss our stories to others the more people will be inspired to make changes--to take a risk. When we do, the Universe conspires with us to make that change. I've heard that before and thought it was a silly concept, only now I truly believe it because it is happening for me. It isn't always easy, but I wouldn't change what I've done. The change has opened up new possibilities, many of which I had no idea would open up to me. We must sometimes make that jump in order to change perspective. One last thing, since my departure from my job I have received much support from unexpected sources. Again, I have been told that that would happen because it's a Universal Law. I must concur---it does.

A beautiful reminder about Universal Law, Terry. As one of my friends says to me often "Leap and the net will appear". Sometimes I think the very best net of all is the net we create by sharing our stories with others - THEY become the net. :-)

Sarah,

I think this is my favorite of your posts so far, at least of the one's I've caught, because it's so damn honest. And I think it was that honesty that helped me solidify a bit more of who I am while reading it. Here is a bit of what came to mind:

I have always had an enormous number of desires, expectations and interests. This has made it hard for me to figure out my 'life purpose'. Even though I have goals that I work towards passionately on a moment by moment basis, to try and wrap up all that I imagine into a single *life* purpose has proved to be a daunting task.

More recently though, and this is what your post made me realize with confidence, I've been feeling that I can distill everything into the following: At the root of my being, I am 1) A creator 2) An explorer.

After 22 years of living a fairly average life except that I could so rarely happily mix with conventional society, this realization makes so much sense. In my most purely blissful moments, I was either making something (a sculpture, a meal, a website) or discovering new things (electricity when I was young and more recently China or how not eating meat makes me feel).

In fact, even when those moments suck, when a project has totally failed or I'm stranded on a cold mountain in Interlaken, I am totally happy.

Being who I am at that extremely fundamental level is the most real and yet surreal thing I can imagine.

I want to keep developing this train of thought some more but thanks for helping me get this far :)

-Nicky

I love the crystal clear beaut of your "live" a-ha moment Nicky. :-) Keep digging away at that "bliss" - can't WAIT to talk about it further. :-)

It's very hopeful to know that we all have the ability to re-write our own story. My story is similar to yours in that I eventually left a career that lead to an empty life (after nearly 30 years!). I finally realized that I needed to please myself more than any one else. Once we fall in love with who we are and believe in ourselves, we can finally follow our own heart to wonderful and meaningful destinations. The main thing is to keep moving in the direction our heart leads. I believe there are many people who are longing for more in their lives. The more we discuss our stories to others the more people will be inspired to make changes--to take a risk. When we do, the Universe conspires with us to make that change. I've heard that before and thought it was a silly concept, only now I truly believe it because it is happening for me. It isn't always easy, but I wouldn't change what I've done. The change has opened up new possibilities, many of which I had no idea would open up to me. We must sometimes make that jump in order to change perspective. One last thing, since my departure from my job I have received much support from unexpected sources. Again, I have been told that that would happen because it's a Universal Law. I must concur---it does.

Sarah,


I think this is my favorite of your posts so far, at least of the one's I've caught, because it's so damn honest. And I think it was that honesty that helped me solidify a bit more of who I am while reading it. Here is a bit of what came to mind:



I have always had an enormous number of desires, expectations and interests. This has made it hard for me to figure out my 'life purpose'. Even though I have goals that I work towards passionately on a moment by moment basis, to try and wrap up all that I imagine into a single *life* purpose has proved to be a daunting task.



More recently though, and this is what your post made me realize with confidence, I've been feeling that I can distill everything into the following: At the root of my being, I am 1) A creator 2) An explorer.



After 22 years of living a fairly average life except that I could so rarely happily mix with conventional society, this realization makes so much sense. In my most purely blissful moments, I was either making something (a sculpture, a meal, a website) or discovering new things (electricity when I was young and more recently China or how not eating meat makes me feel).



In fact, even when those moments suck, when a project has totally failed or I'm stranded on a cold mountain in Interlaken, I am totally happy.



Being who I am at that extremely fundamental level is the most real and yet surreal thing I can imagine.



I want to keep developing this train of thought some more but thanks for helping me get this far :)



-Nicky

Once again, I am smiling and reading your post and thinking: "Now how does she know what I'm mulling over?" This is just an awesome post and resonates with me TOTALLY!! Over the many, many years of my "professional" life I had those preconceived ideas of "the dream/perfect" job, house, relationship.....you get the idea. But, those were society's "perfect" dreams. I hadn't yet "found my voice" nor had I examined my heart. I eventually did just that, after turning in my resignation to a boss who had just screamed at a meeting, "...And if YOU don't give me the respect that I deserve & follow my way..YOU can turn in your resignation tomorrow!" Well, (smiling here) I did just that!! She was shocked to say the least! I didn't have a job in the pipeline...I just knew, that the passion I once had was long gone and the atmosphere was toxic!! I have never looked back..YAY!! Thanks, Sarah, for reminding me of just how important it is to live a life that you're passionate about in ALL areas....or, what's the point?

What is the point indeed? I think your boss and my boss must be related cuz that's the kind of stuff I used to heare when I would balk at her "authority". Geesh - so not the way to build a team. Good thing you and I are both smart cookies and got the hell out of Dodge so we can find our passionate destiny!

What is the point indeed? I think your boss and my boss must be related cuz that's the kind of stuff I used to heare when I would balk at her "authority". Geesh - so not the way to build a team. Good thing you and I are both smart cookies and got the hell out of Dodge so we can find our passionate destiny!

Wow Mark. Just wow. You put it all on the table and I am...just wow. Powerful powerful stuff. And may I be the first one to say - I think you just found your voice. :-)

Please do come back and share!

I had no idea you were a singer! That's awesome. :-) And I think part of the lesson that I am learning is that "letting go" is what MUST happen before anything else can happen. Scary, but there it is. Thanks for that reminder.

Thanks so much Tanveer. As you can see form the comments below, lots of people in our tribe are pondering this idea. And the things that I am discovering is that I will never be "done" pondering it. Hoping this discussion lasts a good long time. :-)

Once again, I am smiling and reading your post and thinking: "Now how does she know what I'm mulling over?" This is just an awesome post and resonates with me TOTALLY!! Over the many, many years of my "professional" life I had those preconceived ideas of "the dream/perfect" job, house, relationship.....you get the idea. But, those were society's "perfect" dreams. I hadn't yet "found my voice" nor had I examined my heart. I eventually did just that, after turning in my resignation to a boss who had just screamed at a meeting, "...And if YOU don't give me the respect that I deserve & follow my way..YOU can turn in your resignation tomorrow!" Well, (smiling here) I did just that!! She was shocked to say the least! I didn't have a job in the pipeline...I just knew, that the passion I once had was long gone and the atmosphere was toxic!! I have never looked back..YAY!! Thanks, Sarah, for reminding me of just how important it is to live a life that you're passionate about in ALL areas....or, what's the point?

Man.....another huge question....you always seem to come up with a question in your blogs that really makes me think about stuff. I suppose it's a good thing that I'm in a thinking mood lately. :)

Out of the many things that have happened in my life, from my mother's death to getting married, to getting my degree...the thing that has shaped my life the most, was my diagnosis as atypical depressive and social/general anxiety in 2005. Whether I like to admit it, its something that affects my life on a daily basis.

Yes, I have accomplished a lot in my life - depression and anxiety are not a death sentence for accomplishment. Most people who have it don't like to talk about it, with the exception of a celebrity who needs the publicity and starts a useless fluff charity to "help others just like me." I hate shit like that. Mostly because every depressive is different, so there aren't any others "like them"

Some days its a battle to get out of bed. But I do. Some days I don't want to go to work. But I do. Because I have to, I don't have a choice. I don't talk about it all that much with anyone, because depression and anxiety still have a stigma about them that affects people's vision of me before they know who I am.

I wan't to lead a successful life despite my past. I want to prove to certain people that depression and anxiety does not rule my life. Finding my voice is a HUGE part of that. I can't really say that I have found it yet...but I know what I want to say. God help all of you that are in my way when I do find it....because you will NOT be able to stop me.

Wow Mark. Just wow. You put it all on the table and I am...just wow. Powerful powerful stuff. And may I be the first one to say - I think you just found your voice. :-)

Perhaps. It would be awesome to be able to work for a mental health organization, or something similar. Unfortunately a lot of them are non profit and don't want a dedicated marketing/promotions person. backwards, I know. Someday...

Wow, great post! This is a great reminder to live from a sense of mission and be who you really are... um, who I am, that is! Thanks-- I think I needed that on some level today.

Oh, I so love this post! And what a great little exercise for entrepreneurs...I may come back and share mine. And of course, our missions/purpose change with experience, time, circumstance.

Please do come back and share!

"Finding your voice" is such a great metaphor for me! As a singer, it happens exactly as it did to you: you sing better when you let go of singing as should be and start singing from the heart. My mission is about putting my voice out in the world for others, being a counter-culture example (I can work with my husband, I can create meaningful relationships in the workplace, I can balance my life, I can lead without force, etc). It is ever-evolving and growing. My secret to have it all? Doing ONLY things I am passionate about and leaving others to do what THEY are passionate about. Loved your post, as always ;) Keep em coming

I had no idea you were a singer! That's awesome. :-) And I think part of the lesson that I am learning is that "letting go" is what MUST happen before anything else can happen. Scary, but there it is. Thanks for that reminder.

Sarah, it's funny that you brought this up because this is something that I've been re-evaluating my participation in one of the many team projects I currently work on. And one thing I realized is that what happens is that over time, we lose our perspective of why we wanted to embark that new task or relationship and we end up doing something that's no longer relevant to us.

I still need to ponder about it more as I think the revelations I came to grappling with making this decision may be helpful for others who are wary of facing down that fork in the road. I just wanted to leave a comment because I'm enjoying the fact that you and I are both thinking about - and have faced - making this choice and are trying to help others figure it out as well.

Looking forward to reading the stories your other readers will share.

Thanks so much Tanveer. As you can see form the comments below, lots of people in our tribe are pondering this idea. And the things that I am discovering is that I will never be "done" pondering it. Hoping this discussion lasts a good long time. :-)

Man.....another huge question....you always seem to come up with a question in your blogs that really makes me think about stuff. I suppose it's a good thing that I'm in a thinking mood lately. :)


Out of the many things that have happened in my life, from my mother's death to getting married, to getting my degree...the thing that has shaped my life the most, was my diagnosis as atypical depressive and social/general anxiety in 2005. Whether I like to admit it, its something that affects my life on a daily basis.



Yes, I have accomplished a lot in my life - depression and anxiety are not a death sentence for accomplishment. Most people who have it don't like to talk about it, with the exception of a celebrity who needs the publicity and starts a useless fluff charity to "help others just like me." I hate shit like that. Mostly because every depressive is different, so there aren't any others "like them"



Some days its a battle to get out of bed. But I do. Some days I don't want to go to work. But I do. Because I have to, I don't have a choice. I don't talk about it all that much with anyone, because depression and anxiety still have a stigma about them that affects people's vision of me before they know who I am.



I wan't to lead a successful life despite my past. I want to prove to certain people that depression and anxiety does not rule my life. Finding my voice is a HUGE part of that. I can't really say that I have found it yet...but I know what I want to say. God help all of you that are in my way when I do find it....because you will NOT be able to stop me.

Wow, great post! This is a great reminder to live from a sense of mission and be who you really are... um, who I am, that is! Thanks-- I think I needed that on some level today.

Oh, I so love this post! And what a great little exercise for entrepreneurs...I may come back and share mine. And of course, our missions/purpose change with experience, time, circumstance.

"Finding your voice" is such a great metaphor for me! As a singer, it happens exactly as it did to you: you sing better when you let go of singing as should be and start singing from the heart. My mission is about putting my voice out in the world for others, being a counter-culture example (I can work with my husband, I can create meaningful relationships in the workplace, I can balance my life, I can lead without force, etc). It is ever-evolving and growing. My secret to have it all? Doing ONLY things I am passionate about and leaving others to do what THEY are passionate about. Loved your post, as always ;) Keep em coming

Sarah, it's funny that you brought this up because this is something that I've been re-evaluating my participation in one of the many team projects I currently work on. And one thing I realized is that what happens is that over time, we lose our perspective of why we wanted to embark that new task or relationship and we end up doing something that's no longer relevant to us.


I still need to ponder about it more as I think the revelations I came to grappling with making this decision may be helpful for others who are wary of facing down that fork in the road. I just wanted to leave a comment because I'm enjoying the fact that you and I are both thinking about - and have faced - making this choice and are trying to help others figure it out as well.



Looking forward to reading the stories your other readers will share.