"...You are Braver Than You Believe..."

There is reasonable fear and then there is crazy fear - the unforgiving thoughts that are followed by an out- loud mumble: that’s just crazy.

Yet somehow, crazy or not, these self-defeating ways of thinking seem to spring from behind, when we least expect it, and wrestle our minds all the way back to third grade. Suddenly we are found sleeping in a fully lit room - huddled under our Snoopy sheets, in full blown panic that the nightmare in the closet is about to unfold.

But the question now is, how long do we hide from the ugly one-eyed fiend…with purple fangs?!

Should we ever...really...expose the most tender and uncertain parts of ourselves, to the world? And if so - who do we trust enough to show our particular brand of crazy; the places that scare us most; our weakest of moments; our monsters in the closet.

Who, exactly, will catch us….when we are frightened to a fall...off the edge of the bed?

***********************

The conversation, as many of ours do, started in the middle.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing…really”

“Are you sure?”

“Ok, I am afraid to die alone. “

“Why are you saying that?” she asked.

“I don’t know, I just am.” I said.

“No, I know that is coming from somewhere else. Did something happen?” she continued.

“Well I don’t have any children, Jerry is older than me, I am the youngest of five…it’s not looking good. I don’t want to grow old…with new people. I don’t want to die with some nurse in the room, I have just met, pointing to the exit sign.”

“You will never be alone Mo,” she said.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes I do.”

“How?”

“Because you will be with me.”

You guessed it! 1989.
Lisa. Joan. Mo.

And in that instant, a small concern that in recent years had grown into a startling, sweaty, afraid-to-open-my-eyes-in-the-middle-of-night fear – as if fleeing from a burning building – left my body, never to return again.

I often think of that conversation. I often tell the story of it. It was like hearing a song, for the first time, that moves you in such a way you know you have just discovered a “you gotta hear this” favorite.

I think that’s how it is when you meet a kindred friend too; like a song that gets into your heart on the very first chord. One that you play when you need to escape from it all; when you crave to remember who you really are: who we all want to be on some level: Robert Plant. And you flip back your hair, grab your air guitar – with your best friend, your side kick, your partner in crime – your Jimmy Page….right by your side…and rock out.

Yeah, our friendship, is kind of like that (but, of course, much more like the chick-rock-fantasy version…Ann and Nancy.)

So, today I decided to take an old favorite off the shelf, and rather than sit and listen to it by myself – I would like to say “you gotta hear this”.

Her name is Joan and I have known her for twenty-six years. She is a photographer. But not just any photographer. She is the type of photographer that catches life at its most vulnerable – before the say cheese, and after the flash – the lip-synching in the mirror moments that we don’t intend for others to see, but that we deeply, desperately hope that they do.

She lives for a glass of good red wine and she wears camouflage clothing with no apology. She forgives me every time I smash granola bars into the floor mat of her car and she has been stuffing “thoughts on life” post-its in her purse since the day I met her. She is the type of friend that will give you her last nickel; even if she knows it will end up in the land of broken lives (a.k.a.Caesar’s Palace nickel slots). And she is the person that reads every word of every sentence I have ever written and whether it blows her mind or numbs it, she tells me that “words can’t describe how much I love it.”

Joan is the only free spirit I have ever met that has absolutely no awareness of it. She is a born non- conformist who has never said the word non-conformist. She just doesn’t know how to not let her own light shine, and for that I admire her dearly.

And she is the person that when my brother died fifteen years ago, stopped her life entirely - which at the time was 3000 miles away from mine - and flew to my side – where she held my hand for seven silent days - as I melted into a voiceless puddle.

“Promise me you'll always remember: You are braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem,

and smarter than you think.”

-Christopher Robin to Pooh

She is my best friend, and she has contributed immeasurable amounts of joy of my life, and for that I love her dearly.

Fast forward to 1996, when I apparently tried to bring back the "Betty Rubble". Joan never said a word.

On my journey to finding a future filled with purpose and joy, I suddenly realized that yes, there is a voice inside of us that says “Change. Grow. Explore.” It tells us to pay attention to the signs along the road and trust that they will lead us to our greatest potential . But today, the voice said something else.

“Stop Looking.”

It told me to open my hands and trace my lifeline backwards – to remind myself of the beauty that I have already seen; the happiness that I have already felt; the love that is ingrained in every inch of my past. It reminded me that although the inspiration for my journey came from a very dark and despondent place, that there was always someone waiting at the edge...and...

– that I was never… really… alone. 

With gratitude for the dearest of friends,

Mo

Why We Don’t Care if Michelangelo Shopped at The Gap

[I tore this story from a page my past – but its message, as potent as paint thinner, I believe.. is legacy...]

I attended a rather uninspiring marketing conference some years ago. In fact, aside from wresting the urge to yawn, I’d spent the better part of two days, gazing at the tips of my shoes. About noon on day three, I decided it was time slip through the between-presenters-crack and head out for an early flight. As I stood to gather my bags and mugs and flashlight pens – a fluttery British accent, called out from center stage.

“Please don’t leave,” he said. “This is my very first public speaking engagement. And, well, I don’t want it to be my last”.

Busted!

By the deafening chuckle that ensued, you would think he had taken a giant ostrich feather and tickled the entire audience under the chin. It actually did seem a bit funnier when I realized that he was not exclusively speaking to me, and that, in fact, several people had stood in hopes of catching that earlier flight.

Hm. Well he’s telling the truth, I thought – which, I must admit, is a daring way to start your very first speech. I dropped the bag next to my chair and plopped back in it.

This better be good blue jeans.

What proceeded for the next fifty minutes was a finely choreographed waltz-of-words. This young Brit swept the doldrums so deep into the outfield – they didn’t return until at least 9am the next morning. He was a complete natural. He had the trifecta of public speaking – a progressive topic, passionately delivered, with a healthy dash of comic timing. He held the attention of over four hundred marketing managers - whose average age was his, times two, plus three – right in the palm of one hand.

And, I, for one, was very glad I’d stayed.

During the break for lunch, almost needless to say, he was swarmed by a mob of conference goers. Would he be writing a book? Where could he be found online? Nearly every attendee wanted more.

Nearly.

In the lobby coffee shop, there was a gathering of a different sort. A table of red-faced businessmen, were saluting the crowd (now encircling the young man), with the backs of their heads. They’d flipped their ties over their shoulders and were now sipping down a few $14 bottles of Pellegrino and punctuating each sentence with a flail of their arms.  Doesn’t he own a suit? Why do these kids today think the rules don’t apply to them? If I were his supervisor, I’d fire him on the spot! Obviously they had not listened as he explained that he is self-employed research consultant. And, frankly, I’m not sure if they even heard a single word of his ingenious retail revelations.

It seems these “supervisors” were pretty miffed at the fact that this marketing whiz-kid could inspire an audience of their peers, gaining oodles of admiration and respect - perhaps even enlisting the first several hundred sales of his new book - all the while, dressed in a white t-shirt and blue jeans.

As I stood in the middle of this dichotic scene – freethinking, entrepreneurial blue jeans guy, with a mosh pit in tow, to my left, and twelve piping hot messes in suits, to my right – one and only one vision came to mind.

The Sistine Chapel. Yep.

Picture this. It is Rome, 1512. Michelangelo has just breathed in the first full view of the Sistine Chapel. He is quivering with humility – as he is overwhelmed by his own creation. He warily opens the chapel door because, he knows…the moment has arrived. It is time to share his gift with the world. A small crowd gathers outside. Moments later, an onlooker climbs to the top of a large stone and shouts, “Great painting but where did you get those shoes?”

Huh?

It is 1903 in Kitty hawk, North Carolina. Orville Wright is running alongside his brother Wilbur;   his imagination bursting through a cloud as the magic of flight...is cast upon the world...for the very first time. Suddenly he stops and says,“Darn it all, I forgot my tie! Sorry Wil, I’ll be right back.”

What?!

It is 1975. Harvard University. A young man has been glued to a keyboard …for three days straight. He is driven by one and only one thought:  a design that had blossomed in his own mind will change the face of humanity forever. With certainty, he knows, that the future of the world is sitting on the edge of his desk.
Hm. Have you ever wondered...if in the midst of this unforgiving intensity...he was wearing a sweatshirt  from The Gap?

In your wildest imagination, have you ever wondered what any of these people were wearing? Silly question right?

But, do you know why?

Because what they were wearing meant absolutely nothing.

What they were creating meant absolutely everything.

You go blue jeans guy.

Genius comes from within,


Mo

Are you cheating on yourself...with the other you?

Ok, so there’s the real you, and your mistress - the work you.


Sure, some folks are lucky enough to have manifested a real passion into their daily work lives; claiming no desire whatsoever to tip-toe around town in a wig and sunglasses, pretending to be something or someone that is anything but themselves. These folks have risen to the task of being who they want to be, and who they who they want to be happens to be who they actually are.

But for many, their real life and work life couldn’t be more at odds - a day at the office apes a scandalous affair; drawing the shades at Motel 6 for a sloppy liaison with the "other," until it’s time to return to the comfort, peace and familiarity of a place called “real me”.  It seems for decades, billions of men and women have been sneaking behind their own backs - spawning results of half-lived lives, half the time, half-way with half as much enthusiasm, and, sadly, half as much joy.

That is a lot of cheating.

It's amazing how so many people willingly adopt the concept that we, as ourselves, are not quite good enough for this world; tieing our shoes, straightening our get-up...and heading out for the well-footed path - despite its potholes, pitfalls and anesthetizing terrain; falsely believing, that the "other"... is still the better hand.

Sounds like a dicey gamble to me.


Here’s a thought. What if the two of  "you" joined forces? What if, in fact, the real you became the work you?  In Marianne Williamson’s book A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, she says,


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Kind of makes you want to hang up the wig, huh? 

So...what If we all decided it was time to stop hiding; to stop playing small and let our own light shine. And while the fear of losing a popular and predictable existence may still lurk in our head, what if we made some room for the exhilaration of an evolving and deeply meaningful one; a life that is powerful beyond all measure.

What if we stopped cheating and began a trusting and faithful relationship ... with ourselves?

Just sayin'.

Ode to a cup of tea...

I spotted the name in the daily soup of tweets…One Hundred Cups of Tea. Now, you can call it karma, a sign from the universe, or whatever your word is for “knowingness”, but I knew in approximately 3.3 seconds - the time it took to read the first sentence of his mission (can having tea with a stranger change your life? ) – with no plans of traveling to the UK, and with a rather bitter distaste for tea in general…

that I would be having tea with him someday.

That day was today.

I will admit, I had a little bit of the pre-caffeine jitters. But I was definitely more excited than nervous. After all, this person was making the most inconvenient of gestures - after traveling the first 3500 miles, he'd stop in route from one side of the world to the other,  to meet some lady he’d exchanged a few pleasant emails with...for a cup of tea. I mean, really, who does that?

After struggling to decipher the new atm-ish parking meters peppering the streets of Philadelphia, it suddenly dawned on me - what if we don’t get along? As I opened the coffee shop door with a four-sugar lump in my throat, I was pinched by the thought of the worst case scenario: volcanic silence – that unstoppable eruption of nothing to say moments…particularly painful amongst strangers. Ugh. I hate when that happens.

Suddenly I was more nervous than excited.

There was a slight, early-twenty-something-rocker-type with his head buried in a laptop, sitting in the middle of a couch. He is young enough to be my son, I thought. That can’t be him. Maybe it’s the other guy, slightly balding, with the golf shirt and the Wall Street Journal under his arm. Nope. The young guy stood up. And as he moved in closer it was undeniably the friendly-faced tea sipper from the internet. “You must be Greg,” I said, hoping he didn’t deny his identity and run from this forty-(ahem) year old woman, saddling a cumbersome stack of bags and books.

”Yes, hello, nice to meet you Mo.”

Phew. My worries were dissolved by the mere tone of his voice. How cheerful, I thought.



two old bitties chatting the hours away....



In fact, it took but five minutes to settle in, order our chai teas, and start chatting through the hours like two old bitties at basket bingo. Not only had I lost concern with a difference in age or a lack of conversation, but I quickly recognized we were more like-minded that I might have imagined.

He began by sharing an important moment. The moment, in fact. The one when he found himself walking around London, a place he’d move to with such high hopes of finding his life’s next phase – but instead only finding a growing frustration with the take-no-prisoner pace of the city.

One day, while making his way through the fumes of impatience, he noticed something deafeningly odd. “I was looking down at the sidewalk instead of up at the beauty. I’d already forgotten about the castles. The history. Why I’d even come to London.” He stopped and thought, “I don’t want to live this way.”

But instead of running away to that next safe place; instead of continuing an outward search to recapture his optimism; his zest for adventure…Greg journeyed inward.

He wondered why he…and London…came to feel this way at all.

He wondered about the voices between our individual worlds – the ones that judge, that doubt, that keep us away from the conversation…the ones that make us strangers. “What if we look up, look at each other, actually have a conversation. Will it make any difference at all?"

Mostly, he wondered “Can a simple cup of tea with a strangers, change my life?”

He spoke of the people he’s shared tea with thus far; the lone German woman he'd met on the bus; the older couple at the airport; the man outside the restaurant in the midst of a full-blown panic; the emails, the odd per chance meetings; the occasional struggle to fill the awkward space of silence – the profound lessons he’d been learning from each and every encounter.

“I know now more than ever how important it is to have conversation. We’re pushing away from each other and we need to push back in the other direction, we need to really see each other again,“ he explained.

Soon the story of Greg Dion was becoming very clear to me. This young Canadian man, a self-admitted non-social-butterfly, whom I’d never seen, nor heard of, who had taken a plane to New York, a bus to Philadelphia, slept in hostel, and made his way through a strange city for a stranger…was the perfect person for me, or anyone, to meet for tea. Why?

Greg Dion - One Hundred Cups

Because, as evidenced in his poetic one hundred cups journal, he is not only a delightful storyteller, but he is blessed with the gift of listening.

But there is something a bit more. And, yes, It is going to sound gushingly cliche’. Yes it speaks directly to my proclivity for the mystical “ hokey pokey“ and yes, some may go so far as to say it is as corny as a corndog. But in this case, it is unavoidable. Here goes it.

Greg has a …sort of…light around him. There I said it and I’m not taking it back. (sorry my friend, I can almost feel you blushing from across the pond…)

But it’s true! In fact, you almost can’t help but notice it; it kind of…gets under your skin – makes you look up at the beauty; remember the castles and know, beyond doubt, that there is still grace in the world. And if by some chance the first twenty people he has met for tea are reading these very words, I know for sure they are nodding along, and saying, yes… this is his message to give.

me giving unsolicited advise...as usual

After three and half hours, it was time for us to part ways. I walked to my car, stuffed a soggy parking ticket in my purse and smiled as I realized something that I will carry with me for the rest of my days. Hm. Just one cup of tea and we are no longer strangers.

I sat and jotted a few thoughts…

I think, some day, this young man’s life may be quite celebrated; at least for those who need him to be.

I think I will drink more tea.

I think I will one day write more of an ordinary Canadian who chose to have tea with 100 strangers -- and in doing so, achieved the extraordinary.

I think someday, because of him, there will be a little less loneliness in the world.

I think there will be more empathy.

I hope so.

It’s such a beautiful dream…


(For more of Greg's journey log onto: http://www.onehundredcups.com/. Photos by Joan Cimino Photgraphy: joansphoto@comcast.net)

Speaking of Awesome...



When is the last time you did or saw something awesome? 

My guess is that most will reply: “oh...the birth of my daughter, ” or “we visited the Grand Canyon!” or “last year I ran the New York City marathon” - and yes, I agree - these are the very big, very cherished, very “high on life” moments of awesomeness. But I bet if you close your eyes and thought of the unstoppable giddiness tap dancing 'round your belly – if you thought about how you actually felt in those very big moments - you would realize that you probably glimpsed that same euphoric haze… like… twenty minutes ago. Maybe you dropped your cell phone on the sidewalk and then realized it was perfectly fine. Phewwwww. Awesome. Or when you took your ponytail out at the end of the day and your entire body sighed with relief. Ahhhhh. Awesome. Or you woke up this morning, and for a moment you thought today was Monday, then realized it was Sunday. Yipeeeeee. Awesome.



Neil Pasricha, Author - The Book of Awesome

It seems most of us are going through our days - waiting for the glory of  the next very-big- awesome-moment; the straight A’s, the I do’s, the corner offices – so much so, we have completely lost sight of the precious gifts unwrapping themselves right in the palms of our hands - the little ones.

Most except for Neil Pasricha.

I found him on twitter. Someone was following someone or maybe someone was following me - I don’t recall exactly who tweeted what to whom and when – but I do recall feeling a certain “kinship” with him, as I learned that, like my own, Neil’s journey began in a very personal way; sinking into a dark night and wondering how he might climb his way back. Would he ever feel joy again?

Then one day, while meandering through the produce aisle he came upon the “the strange mutant hybrid of nature's most hideous vegetables…broccoflower” and thought, that’s pretty awesome. Aha! Life is awesome! Suddenly he realized that he had a choice. He could “swish and swirl in gloom and doom” or he could "grieve and face the future with newly sober eyes.” To my (our) very great benefit - he chose to the world of awesome - and embraced the sacredness of the simple joys now swarming his every day. His books, The Book of Awesome and the latest release, The Book of (even more) Awesome, are remarkably universal collections of  the “that's so cool” moments in life. His delightful blend of humor and humanity is a wake up call coming straight from the heart; it is a friendly tap on the shoulder; a whisper in the ear; an opening the window to a fresh spring day – all reminding us that no matter how great the wrench in our plans, how sleepless our nights, or how badly we screw the whole thing up, in the end, life always wins, because it is, in fact, awesome.

As a fellow awesomeness seeker, I couldn’t help but reach out to him for a close-up look at his big journey of little joys. Here’s what he said during a recent e-chat:

I'm sure you did not roll out of bed one day and say, "hey, you know what? For the next year I'm going to start writing down every little thing that makes me smile," right? What exactly did lead you on this journey to recording life's, often underrated, "awesomeness"?

Well, to be honest, 1000 Awesome Things and The Book of (Even More) Awesome came from a pretty tough place. I was living in the suburbs of Toronto and was watching my marriage of two years break down and my best friend battle a serious mental illness. It just felt like everything was swirling and twirling with gray clouds above my head each day. One day my wife came home from work and summoned the courage through tears to tell me she didn't love me anymore. My friend who was suffering the depression very sadly... didn't make it. And I was aching to find something positive, something smile-worthy, to focus on every night. That's why I started writing about wearing warm underwear from the dryer, getting called up to the dinner buffet first at a wedding, and snow days every night.

What was the very first awesome thing you captured on paper? Do you have a favorite "awesome" moment?


Bizarrely, it was #1000 Broccoflower -- the strange mutant hybrid of nature's most hideous vegetables. I could probably go on and on about how broccoflower represents the core of The Book of (Even More) Awesome -- taking pleasure in small, simple moments in front of our eyes. But the truth is that it just made me smile on the day I started the blog. It was just a random awesome thing.

At what point did you realize that you had stumbled onto a concept that was not only unique, but tremendously relevant to our "troubled times"? Was it simply by the number of web views? A feeling? Or, did something else happen that motivated you to continue your search...

Ha ha, well, I don't think it is unique! I'm not sure writing about the smell of rain on a hot sidewalk, hitting a string of green lights in a row, or coming back to your own bed after a long time away from home is.... anything special. It's a gratitude journal, a focus on simple pleasures, and a love for the life we're living. I mean, I love writing about these moments. And I'm lucky that other people love reading about them. But I don't think I'm anyone different or special or unique. Believe me, the fact that The Book of Awesome has been on bestseller lists for a year straight has been most surprising to me.

Did you laugh or cry more while writing the books? It's a tossup for me, as a reader.

Hmmm, well I think maybe laughing and crying come from the same place. I don't know how to put it but the root could just be these stirring and swirling clouds feeling, of passion, of life and energy towards beauty. Whether it's a smile at remembering your childhood friend's phone number, the joy of getting the keys to your first apartment, or the sense of satisfaction when you crunch a dry brittle leaf on the sidewalk, it's just... feeling and love and passion for the world we live in.

What has been your favorite reaction to the book?

Ha ha, that's a toughie! I'm massively flattered and thankful that preachers send me letters saying they read these awesome things in their sermons and teachers mail me photos of their classroom's "Wall of Awesome" or send me a copy of Miss Nelson's Third Grade Book of Awesome -- with handwritten entries about putting ice cubes down your brother's T-shirt. Textbooks have used 1000 Awesome Things as a case study and Guy Kawasaki's new book "Enchantment" writes all about 1000 Awesome Things and The Book of Awesome. And all of these responses are so flattering.

But I think my favorite reaction to the book has just been my parents -- who are both senior citizens now -- just glowing and saying they're proud of me. They came to Canada as immigrants from Africa and India about 40 years ago and I firmly think their eye-twinkling sense of wonder of the world around them helped get my sister and I excited about the awesome things in our own lives. Seeing them so happy and enjoying this ride along with me has been a lot of fun. They were the first two of the thirty-million hits on the blog and they've checked it every morning for three years.

Now, I have one for you Neil…I woke up to the smell of fresh hot coffee today. It was marvelous. I opened my eyes and thought, “this is it, this is what he means”. For these new moments of joy, I thank you.

Need more awesomeness (and truthfully, who doesn’t)? log onto: http://1000awesomethings.com/book/

Got Hecklers?

“The guitar’s all very well John, but you’ll never make a living out of it.”
-John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi

So you want to be yourself, you say? Some advice. Don’t tell Thomas…that doubting little bugger.

Change-makers, artists, and those with a untamed spirit of adventure…have all been there. It goes something like this: A vision starts to sizzle deep within the imagination. We are excited by this vision - to such an elevated degree - it feels as though we have just birthed new life into the world. But instead of protecting this life, we are simply overcome with excitement – and soon, without reason or validity, we share it with the very next person we see.

Then, we wait. We watch. We listen.

And, like so many times before, a tsunami of doubt unfurls in their eyes and we are now, not only enveloped by all the warmth and enthusiasm of a wince - but we are also…afraid.

Our profound world-changing vision...zip-locked once again.

Why do we embrace counter intuition…when it comes to matters of authenticity? Why do we run to the people who will most likely “heckle” our life’s purpose and even frighten us from our very own dreams?

Because, perhaps, they are our oldest friends, our co-workers or even our family. Although they may know and love us - the flesh & bones version of us – they may not know the us bubbling far beneath the surface - the us that has not yet birthed from our imagination.

And after twenty years of winces, blank stares, and “huh?” (mind you this is coming from a woman who once gave puppet shows from the trunk of her car)..…I confidently impart these words of wisdom:

What anyone (cousin Bob, Auntie May, or even dear chum Lucy Loo) thinks of your ideas, goals, and dreams…does not matter in the least.

It is your job to be you - and not your job to transform a crop of cynics into your personal fan base. You see, "devil’s advocates" certainly have their place in the world (like strategic war planning and high-risk surgery) but they most certainly do not have a place in the expression of dreams.

Moreover, there is an entire community out there...counting on you to be yourself.

In fact, they've been waiting for you...holding the space while you explore your instincts, compose your vision...and srew it up as many times as required - until you get it just right. After all, they are expecting your freshest ideas, your finest work; they are your tribe; your audience; your ticket to a life above the clouds of doubt. These people, whom I like to call “angel’s advocates,” do not need convincing that you are gifted and unique. Mostly, they are just grateful to have finally found you. They are with whom you share your light. Not the “yes but,” “sounds risky,” and “when are you getting a real job?” crowd.

Got it?

Just the other day I received a charming note of gratitude from a total stranger.  He told me that he felt richer for having read my work and kindly asked that I keep speaking. I have never met this man and the odds are I never will. (By his particular phrasing, my assumption is that he resides on the other side of the world.) But, somehow, this stranger, has become one of the biggest supporters of my life’s work.  He is my angel’s advocate; a welcome member of the tribe.

And I might share that a few years ago, when I told my mom I wanted to make a living writing essays, books and articles about people & ideas that change the world, her immediate response was “how are the benefits?” (sorry mom…the answer is still the same).

She loves me, but I have finally accepted, like Aunt Mimi, she doesn’t really get me …and like John Lennon, I love her anyway.

What Boundaries?

“If you feel trapped by a job you don't enjoy anymore - simply because it supports your life style…it’s time to change lifestyles”
– Lisa Chavis and Cheryl MacDonald, authors of What Boundaries, Live Your Dream!

Let’s sell it all and travel the world!  If I had a dime for every time I uttered these words, I would not only be able to travel the globe incessantly, but I could probably purchase the entire planet…twice. And, as I’ve come to discover…I am not alone. In fact I'm beginning to think there's a tricky little pixie - a muse of adventure - traveling the world from dream to dream...and fanning our collective curiosity for the unknown.

And yet, we sleep.

But… what may come…when we are “awake"? And rather than disappear like the thief of imagination, this thrill-seeking pixie parks its caboose…and settles in?

On my, now extraordinary, journey to find the people who make me (us) happy, my attention was grabbed by a photo of two women, joyously confronting the ocean wind - face first. Their expression was one that I can only describe as “surprised exhilaration.” It was the kind of look you might have at the split of the “a-ha”second; the hairs of your arm, suddenly saluting the sun – and you know that you have just stumbled on something quite…very… extremely….important.

And…as a matter of fact, they had. A boundary – or moreso, rather, the lack thereof.

I dug a little deeper. It seems Cheryl MacDonald and Lisa Chavis, unlike so many of us who say “let’s sell it all” after proverbial “let’s sell it all,” and then go get our car washed instead …these ladies, actually did it. Sold it…all.

And now, after a three year journey (originally slated for one) across 4 continents, 30 countries, and 200 cities, they have not merely traveled the world via hostels, back-packing and voluntourism, but they are enthusiastically reminding others to tend to their dreams – and that it is, in fact, never too late.

Their travel book is named, aptly, “What Boundaries? Live Your Dream!” In a “between-trips” moment, I was lucky enough to cross their boundary-breaking path, for an up-close view of their adventure:

Was there a defining moment, when you decided..."OK let's do it." If so, what might that be?
There was a third friend at the start when we first talked about doing this. There might have also been a bottle of wine! One night we were just asking ourselves, "What would we do if we had no boundaries? No job, mortgages, financial obligations -What would we do and where would we go?". We actually made a list - you know how people fantasize when they think about what they will do when they win the lottery? Well, that was us. While it did sort of started out as a fantasy trip, we soon realized that we were all at a point in our lives where we could try to make this happen! We knew that it wold be scary (quite possibly the scariest thing we have ever don) but we could do it.

[We knew it would be scary (quite possible the

scariest thing we have ever done) but we could do it. ]

What type of jobs did you leave behind?
Lisa is a pharmacist and was a previously published author in the pharmacy field. Writing has always been her passion, so this trip was a no-brainer when it came to the possibility of writing about it! Cheryl was a Senior Director at a Fortune 500 company where she worked for 16 years. Working her way up the corporate ladder was the goal, but when she got there she realized it was not really what she wanted. Most people thought we were a little crazy to give up successful careers, especially in a time when the economy was not the best.




[Most people thought we were a little crazy to give up successful careers,

especially in a time when the economy

was not the best.]



Blyde River Canyon South Africa



What did your friends and family think when you told them? What do they think now?

I was actually a little afraid to tell my family. My mother has always been supportive of anything I did, but she instilled a very deep work ethic in me and my brother. When I told her finally she said "What took you so long?" She meant deciding that work was taking too much of my life away from me and it was time to live my life for ME. We had many friends who often said that they would love to do what we did, but once they heard our plans (hostels, backpacks, volunteering in some off the wall places) they decided it was not for them. Now all of our friends and family just ask us where and when we will go next!


Can you give some highlights regarding some of the places/organizations you volunteered?
When we started to plan this trip we knew that we would never really be happy doing a long term touristy type of trip. We wanted to really get to know the area we would be visiting and get immersed into the true community and culture of where we would were at the time. We wanted to learn new things, stretch our comfort zone and learn more about ourselves too.

[We wanted to learn new things, stretch our comfort zone and learn more about ourselves too.]

In Hawaii, we volunteered on a Dragon Fruit farm, an organic lettuce farm, and a Kona coffee farm. It is hard work sometimes, but you learn a lot and you get to take advantage of the spoils of your hard work! I never enjoyed Kona coffee as much as when I picked my own beans!

[I never enjoyed Kona coffee as much as when I picked my own beans!]

We also volunteered for ten weeks of diving in the Mexican jungle to protect the coral reef and three months in Africa photographing and studying up-close the Big 5 on game reserves.(see links below for all of Lisa and Cheryl's short term volunteering suggestions.)

 

What has been the most surprising discovery about the world, so far?

(Lisa) How closely we are connected with each other. From teaching children to read in Mexico and Thailand to playing soccer with barefoot school kids in South Africa, we are all a part of this world and it makes me want to take good care of it.

[From teaching children to read in Mexico and Thailand to playing soccer

with barefoot school kids in South Africa, we are all a part of this world

and it makes me want to take good care of it.]

 

 What has been the most surprising or profound discovery about yourselves?

(Lisa) How incredible freeing it feels to get rid of stuff. Having no monetary obligations took a huge weight of responsibility off of my shoulders.
(Cheryl) That I actually had and still have, the courage to do what we did. Most anyone who knew me in my past life, would have never expected me to ever do something as crazy, scary, unsure, as this was. I was actually quite nervous as the departure date got closer. It took a little while, not too long though, to feel comfortable putting myself out there like that.

I think a lot of people will be wondering...are they millionaires?

We certainly are not millionaires! But it did take some sacrifice before taking a journey like this. We sold basically everything that wasn't highly sentimental or would not fit in a backpack to start our travel fund. Based on how much we had, we determined the best way to travel (hostels, volunteer programs etc). We sold cars, a house, motorcycles, all those things that 'were' important to us before we started traveling. It really is amazing how bogged down we let ourselves get by buying so many "things” that we think make us happy. For many people, that is okay. It was okay for us for a while. But when you start to feel trapped by a job that you don't enjoy anymore because it supports your life style… well, it’s time to change lifestyles.

I've heard you LOVE hostels - why so?

(Cheryl) I was a consummate organizer... okay, a type A+ personality.. I had at least the first month completely planned for us. Where would go, stay, bus routes, trains etc. We first landed in Ireland and by our SECOND night everything was changing because of people we met at the hostels. Yeah, it took me a while to get use to that! You meet the most interesting people in hostels. Even if I were taking a week vacation somewhere - I would most likely stay in a hostel. Most Americans see hostels through the eyes of the entertainment industry - movies like "Hostel" or "The Beach" don't really paint a true picture. We met traveling families in Europe who stayed in hostels. Some are actually quite nice!

If you could give only one piece of advice to someone who may be considering a similar journey, what would it be?

Don't over think your decision. As we said before, there were a million reasons we shouldn't take this journey, but Helen Keller's words "life is either a daring adventure or nothing" gave us the one reason we needed to do it.

[Helen Keller's words "life is either a daring adventure or nothing" gave us the one reason we needed to do it.]

For highly practical travel tips and more information on the bold adventures of Lisa and Cheryl, log onto www.whatboundariestravel.com.

• Global Vision International - http://www.gviusa.com/

• Habitat for Humanity - http://www.habitat.org/

• Pacific Whale Foundation - http://www.pacificwhale.org/

• World Wide Opportunities for Organic Farming- http://www.wwoof.org/ and http://www.wwoofusa.org/

______________________________________________________________________

And once again, on the heels of connecting with those who dare to be themselves…I conclude:  Be yourself. The world is waiting for you.

Cheers,

Mo





The Art of Paying it Forward

“We need to make the invisible children…visible.”
 - Barbara Chandler Allen, Founder and Executive Director of Fresh Artists.

I used to believe the most profound experience, for a human being, was that of truly being visible to the world – when our authentic self steps directly into the spotlight and in that moment we are, finally, initiated into life. However, after a recent encounter with the founder of Philadelphia’s Fresh Artists, I now believe there may be something we can do that carries us beyond initiation; driving us well down the brightest and most powerful path of our entire life’s journey:  Making others visible to the world.

 

Her name is Barbara Chandler Allen. In a word, she is hope personified. We first met at Weavers Way, a charmingly unique co-op in Chestnut Hill, PA. She stood in the produce aisle holding a few samples of original “2nd grade” artwork. “Oh…did you see the trout picture over the deli counter?” she asked excitedly - her spirit as bright as the chartreuse splattered walls. In a single breath I knew that this was not only going to be an inspiring day, but that this vibrant woman (62 years young!), with a remarkable blend of warmth and wit…was riding high and steady on the waves of her life’s work; her legacy to the world. Hanging in the backdrop was a magical glimpse of the story that would soon unfold.

“The concept was first conceived at the kitchen table five years ago,” she began. Barbara, a former administrator at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and her son and Fresh Artists’partner, Roger, a successful industrial designer, had just learned of the budget cuts in Philadelphia’s public school district. Already grossly under resourced, there was little doubt that arts education would take the greatest hit. “Now…how will they shine? Who will know of their greatness?” she worried.

As a lifelong advocate for arts education, noting its profound effect on her own life, Barbara’s heart ached for the dimming educational future of these young children. No supplies for creative thinking was a tough blow indeed, but to Barbara this denial would resonate at a much deeper level; stunting their creative spirits and leaving them even more vulnerable as they are left to scrape crumbs from the table of imagination. But there was one thought that was by far most distressing, “How will these children know that they have something to give to the world?” She wisely adds, “this skill of creative thinking, after all, is the seed of innovation”.

But for these youth, childhood was now primed to, perhaps, be the most barren season of their lives. Then, while sipping coffee with Roger, something happened. “I had an epiphany,” she said...cheerfully adding, “I seem to have a lot of those these days.” She then explained how she suddenly realized that although these children may, at the moment, be deprived of artistic expression …they were not powerless.

They could, in fact, help each other.

Why couldn’t children give to other children through art? As it turns out…no reason at all. Shortly thereafter, with the help of a few enthusiastic teachers and classrooms full of fresh, young, creative minds, Fresh Artists, the youth-driven philanthropic endeavor - the first of its kind - was born.

“It is a totally new model of nonprofit,” Barbara says with enthusiasm. “We have figured out how to combine a worthy cause with good business. We’ve identified a vital need and we’ve identified a product that is unique and desirable - good artwork.”

The extraordinary artwork is identified and donated by K-12 children in public schools for a truly head-spinning collection (as I confirmed more than once…are you sure this was painted by an eight year old?). It is comprised of varied mediums and currently totals over five hundred pieces. The chosen artwork is then photographed at high resolution and licenses are signed by the child and their guardian. The digital image then becomes part of the Fresh Artists Collection and can be digitally printed in any one of three large sizes (creatively dubbed Papa Bear (6' x 9'), Momma Bear (40" x 60"), Baby Bear (30" x 40"). The reproductions are mounted on sturdy presentation boards for installing on corporate walls. The original artwork is promptly returned to the child artist and belongs to the child forever. They may do whatever they wish with it: put it on the refrigerator, give it to Aunt Maude, or even throw it away!

Corporations, universities, individuals or any organization in need of livening up their décor - make a cash donation to Fresh Artists for the much needed school art supplies and innovative art programs. As a “thank you” gift, the donor, in turn, chooses a work of art from the Fresh Artists’ collection for their walls. Voila! Corporate offices are beautified all across the country, while the shelves of public schools are filled with brand new art supplies!

With astounding results, this grass roots endeavor has now blossomed into an award-winning model for student-centered civic engagement as well as the promotion of arts education. Thus far, there are 750 large photo blow-ups out in the world, and Fresh Artists has delivered over $120,000.00 worth of art supplies to the Philadelphia public schools.

In summarizing the uniqueness of the nonprofit model, Barbara says, “it has all of the right components. Everyone gets involved. Children are philanthropists as much as the corporate donors and companies take ownership of the artwork as much as the children. They are all proud to tell the story.”

But, as I see it, Fresh Artists is giving a gift with a powerful ripple effect - reaching far past the edge of the white corporate walls. They are, in fact, opening an entirely new world of possibility for tens of thousands of children…one art lesson at a time. And in a very real way they are likely changing their futures… as I write these very words.

As the afternoon sun disappeared, our day ending all too soon, I slowly made my way down the cobblestone walkways of Chestnut Hill, smiling at strangers and feeling richer for having made the acquaintance of Barbara Allen. And then, I had an epiphany (of which I hope to have more of these days). I thought of how Barbara embodied the single most significant trait shared by every classic work of art – she is unforgettable. Then, I turned back to the page of the Fresh Artists story that, for me, encapsulates the very essence of its mission and of its founder. It was the moment just before parting ways, when Barbara leaned forward and spoke directly into my Sony-Mini - giving her final declaration; her legacy to world and to its “unseen” children:

“These children are here. And yes, they are vulnerable. But they have promise, and mostly they are creative and brilliant…and they can learn. We need to try to change the way people regard vulnerable children. We need education reform and we all need to try harder. We need to make invisible children…visible. “

(For more information log onto http://www.freshartists.org/ Photos by Joan Cimino Photography: joansphoto@comcast.net)

Does Your Life Plan Sound Like a Lunch Plan?

Q. What will you do with your life?

A. I’m going to marry by 30, have two kids by 35 and make at least 150k by 40. I'll retire by 65...oh and I’d like to have a mountain house and a sailboat. Some day.


Q. What would like for lunch?

A. I’ll have a roast beef and Swiss on rye, extra mustard, hold the onions…oh and I’d like a large side of coleslaw with some extra dill pickles. To go.


Hauntingly similar wouldn’t you say?  There are a few differences however. Firstly, there is no Zagat rating for your life. Secondly, if you are engaged in a life “on the menu", chances are great that you are being drenched by a soggy pickle and smothered on the bottom of a brown paper bag. However, unlike this glum and lonesome scenario…you are not alone. 

Most likely you are one of the tens of millions that have been misguided by the long standing street sign ushering them toward a, presumed, life well-lived – the one that reads…this way to more stuff.


Consider this. Do you think that you will remember the number of sunsets you have ever seen, or the particular sunset that snuck up on a rather dark moment; the one with a hue so golden you swore you saw the gates of heaven...and, graciously, you exhaled. Will your marriage be valued by the number of romantic vacations or by the moment you received that bad-news-phone-call and your partner embraced you with the most intense tenderness you have ever felt - their heart thumping straight through your chest. Will you sit with your grandson on your knee and tell him how many raises you received? Or will you share the story of "a hero who stood up for his personal values, smack in the center the boardroom – even though it put his whole career at risk"....and watch the courage blossom in his eyes.


Will your legacy be held in the arms of a champion…or guy one who reached all the check points.


It seems life is not keeping count after all. It is simply residing in the moments that make us feel alive. Life sings when we stop and listen to its awe. It abounds with great acts of compassion and soars beneath wings that are spread in defiance of fear. And, life, is as individually unique as it is far …from the menu.


So the next time someone says, what will you do with your life? The answer is quite simple.


I will live it.


and so you will,


Mo

Optimism, Pessimism or Realism: Do All Roads Lead to Joy?

I think if I had to categorize myself it would be a optimistic pessimist with realistic tendencies. Yes, I agree, a head spinning life philosophy – but also quite literal.

I meditate. I balance my chakras. I keep a gratitude journal next to my bed and I abide by the law of attraction. I’ve read the Power of Now three times…and then stopped counting. The only disc in my car CD player is “Affirmations for Life & Love.” I advocate the word “belief” as if it were the last one anyone will ever speak or hear, and yes, I think the manifestation of dreams is, mostly, a matter of the mind. I know it is. I’ve seen it happen.

But some days I’m a just a ticked-off crank-pot who can’t stand the sight of her own shadow.

Some days I draw the blinds and watch re-runs of Bill Maher until I am in total agreement with his less than positive, (yet brilliantly insightful) outlook – and think yes, the world is ridiculous and unjust. Some days I’m just a certified cynic from cynical city.

Is that so wrong? Let’s face it, Bill does have a point.

We have all witnessed decades of the positive thinking self-help manifestos…toting the message of life-changing affirmations, backed with bona fide miracles. Truthfully, who doesn’t appreciate a good miracle? But, what about pessimism? Is it so wrong to feel bad when the news is, in fact ….bad? Or, how about plain old realism…what if we choose to see the situation for what it really is – no preemptory slant at all - no wishing and hoping - just good ol’ kitchen table problem solving.

It seems I’m not alone in the recognition of new and unconventional items on the self-help menu. There’s a fresh crop of armies, fighting for all sides of the philosophical root of happiness. There’s the optimistic realists, defensive pessimists, learned optimists and even realistic normalists. All well-researched (albeit polarizing) positions penned by highly acclaimed authors, journalists, celebrities and medical professionals; an intriguing labyrinth of case-closing arguments – page after page of raw data, case studies, interviews, claims and credentialed quotes - all passionately delivered in the most enthusiastic packages possible.

Persuasive? Yes. Perplexing? Of course. [Optimist] Imagine you are on a tropical island... [Pessimist] But it’s hurricane season. [Realist] Why don’t we stop dreaming and book a flight.

Let’s examine. An optimist is categorically someone who will bet the entire farm on the bright side. You could probably tell them their flight has been cancelled, their dog got hit by a car, they’ve been fired and that leak in the ceiling led to a burst in the gas pipe. They’d say, hey it could be worse…while pointing out the constellations. Whereas a pessimist views life as a worst case-scenario. They don’t wait for the news, they give it: the engine on this jet will malfunction, my dog will probably get hit by a car while I’m away, I know I’m getting my pink slip today, and that leak is definitely going to cause a break in the gas line. And conversely, too, there is the realist who has checked the airline stats for flight safety, called three references for the dog walker, starting looking for a new job at the very first sniff of a downsize and has already gotten a few quotes from contractors to fix the leak.

I am beginning to think that not a single one of them has the right answer. But perhaps. They all do. And, perhaps, an Optipessirealist life philosophy may just be the best and most instinct-driven road to a more joyous day-to-day. Hm. What if we adopted the attitude of all three: Happy thoughts, caution and taking action.

This sounds like a concoction that may actually work! I say, let the mixing begin! Let’s be as intuitive and free thinking as possible. Why not adopt the philosophy that it’s OK to keep your eye on the ball and your feet on the ground, while reaching for the sky and grabbing as much happiness as you can; that sometimes imagining an island is an excellent recourse, yet other times it’s benefical to mind the hurricanes; and still yet, actually feeling the sand between your toes, may, at other times, be the best solution too. That quite possibly, a three-faced approach to self-help – Optipessirealism – may, not only stop the head spinning philosophizing, but may, collectively…

be helpful.

Mo

"You Want Joy? Get Out of The Way!" - Dr. Dan Gottlieb

“…signing off, and I am happy.” I flipped the radio off and sat in my driveway, lost in those three little words. Funny how some words seem to swoop in the back door and push right back down in your seat, don’t they?


I am happy.They’re like an unexpected visit from a long-ago friend. So simple, yet so uncommon…so refreshing, yet so puzzling too.

I am happy. And yes, I think this it is the one statement that captivates the imagination in all of us, without exception, leaving a single thought in its wake.

Why is he so happy?I needed to know, of course. It was like a karmic calling card, inviting me to listen to his next show…and the one after that…and the one after that, until I was sure I had found the root of his bliss.

As he empathetically exchanged thoughts and advice with a caller, ironically on the topic of listening, my second favorite word behind joy, he slipped in a little known fact, to me at least, that most would not associate with happiness. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I am a quadriplegic.”

Now I not only need to know, but I needed to meet this man in person. I weighed the pros and cons all afternoon. Would he just say "buzz off" and hang up? Would he even take my call? But, then again, for a joy-seeker like myself, his optimism was irresistible. Finally, I took a deep breath in, slow breath out…and did the next best thing: email.

Message Sent: Hello, I’m a writer on a quest to find the root of joy. You seem like a very happy man. Could I possibly interview you? Send.

His reply: Yes, be happy to. My house or office?

As I’ve come to learn, this is the essence of Dan Gottlieb. No complications. No fan fair. No grand expectations….not a chance. With Dan, it’s just one human authentically connecting with another and, subsequently, changing the world.

Dan Gottlieb is an acclaimed psychologist, host of the popular talk show, Voices in The Family on WHYY, columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, lecturer, father, grandfather and best-selling author (Letters to Sam) – yet he most intensely identifies with the title he has printed on his business cards: Human. Thirty-three years ago while driving down the Schuylkill Expressway, contemplating his next career move, surrounded by the scent of a new car, and hoping he’d been doing well by his two young children… a tire from a passing 8-wheeler crashed straight through his roof, instigating an accident so tragic it would wipe his mind clear of any presumption, plan, philosophy or day dream - of nearly anything he had formerly known to be true.

When he awoke, he was paralyzed.

“I’ll give it two years, before I call it quits,” he told friends. But, two years came and went - in fact two decades came and went, and along with it a mixed bag of emotional and physical suffering from depression, sibling death and divorce to substance abuse, dwindling health and a grandchild with profound autism.

But, I repeat, Dan is a self-proclaimed happy person.

He graciously explained, “Why am I happy? I made a choice to stop. I stopped wishing it would change. That things would get better, be different, or be the same as before. I chose the life I had, not the one I could have had or wished I had; then I made the life I actually had, the best it could be. I think it’s about clarification. Once the choice is truly clarified, I think we always choose life.”

Could joy truly be bred from surrender?
Yes. It is now a total of 33 years later…and Dan Gotlieb is smiling as wide as the sun. He is open and friendly, with a razor-sharp wit, and his wheelchair has clearly become a mobilizer rather than a crutch. He has the most genuine curiosity about life, humans, what makes them tick - or not tick - inquiring about, of all things…my problems. He was insanely interested as to why I was on this quest for joy. I will admit, I was unnerved at a certain point, willfully refraining from leaping in the air and screaming, “truly I’m not really all that interesting…you are!” However, Dan doesn’t think that way. He has traveled to the raw edge of the human experience and back, and this journey is where his passion lies –not only for himself, but for everyone he meets.

After intensely listening, as I awkwardly fumbled through the details, he explained to me, in the most poetic of ways, how he’d witnessed a vine growing from outside of his house, to the inside, that very morning. For some reason, I reminded him of the vine. He further explained that the vine needed oxygen and how it naturally burrowed through the drywall - through the insulation - through the stucco... to find air.

“Like the vine, you don’t have to pursue anything. It happens naturally if we can stay out of the way. For example, the oxygen needed to heal a wound comes from your blood, not the air. Everything your wound needs is inside you. In fact, I think pursuing things outwardly can be harmful. So…you want joy? Stay out of your own way. Just let yourself move naturally toward the oxygen. You just need air, that’s all.”

{You can find more on Dr. Dan Gottlieb at http://www.drdangottlieb.com/. Check back for part two of my day with Dan in upcoming weeks.}

Peace,
Mo

The Art (and Joy) of Non-Conformity

So I was Googling the word “happy,” the other day (what can I say, it’s an obsession)…and you know what? I came across some people who are pretty jazzed-up about their lives! Not about what they wanted to do, but about what they were actually able to accomplish. It was a random mix and match of artists, business owners, authors…even a few soul searchers on the road to self-improvement. I combed through their blogs, their sites, their articles, their videos - their happy lives were all so “in sync” …surely they had all been given the same coveted keys to castle of joy. But it wasn’t long before I’d found their secret weapon: Chris Guillebeau, author of The Art of Non-Conformity - a highly practical, personal and powerful guide to setting your own rules and living the life you want–oh!...and playing a supporting role along the way in a little production called…world domination.

In brief, Chris is the new face of wisdom…a brilliant, generous and pioneering spirit, ingeniously maximizing the age of technology. Now, don’t get me wrong, without Deepak we may have never learned to be present - and Oprah, hats off dear lady…we certainly needed a platform too. And might I add a nod to Dr. Wayne – as we are absolutely nowhere without peace and positivity. But now, we need something even more…

We need a plan...and Chris Guillebeau has it.
But he’s not keeping secrets…he’s spreading the word and as evidenced by his readers, MSNBC, The New York Times and LA Presse, he is in fact, changing the world. His intelligent optimism and unconventional nature has led him on an epic voyage (literally traveling to 125 countries and counting); sharing, listening, and leading thousands of people on the journey least traveled, yet most desired…

the road to authenticity.

In addition to his new book, he has developed refreshingly practical, yet monumentally resourceful, how-to guides, including Building an Empire, Breaking out of the 9-5 and Art and Money…Yes It’s Possible. How does he know his formula works? He’s walking, traveling, writing, world-dominating, non-conforming, living proof. His work, books and postcards from his remarkably “unconventional” book tour can be found at www.chrisguillebeau.com/3x5. This week I had the great privilege of sharing a few moments of his time:

Q.Chris,have you always known you were a non-conformist and that you would most likely work for yourself?

A."I've always done things my own way, but the details and specifics came through experience. My motivation for self-employment in the beginning was simply, "I don't want to work for someone else." Years later I began to develop an appreciation for the power of entrepreneurship as a force for good, but it took a while to get there."

Q. What was your motivation behind sharing your wealth of entrepreneurship and unconventional know-how?

A."I felt like I had done a broad variety of things in my life, but I had no convergence point. I wanted to pull everything together, to create one platform that tied together a range of different interests -- hopefully in a theme like non-conformity that would provide inspiration and practical help to those who were interested."

Q. You’d mentioned that even some failures catapulted you forward on your journey to mastering the art of non-conformity. Any particular dark moment stand out in your mind, a sort of “blessing in disguise.”

A. "I was rejected by a graduate program in 2004. At the time it was crushing, but if I had gone then, my life would be much different now -- and I don't think I would have taken the time to build my legacy project which has ultimately been much more important and meaningful than graduate school for me."

Q. It seems like you’ve inspired many people, the world over, to stick with their vision and “build their empire” especially in the midst of near collapses. Are there any particularly powerful stories or quotes, from someone you’ve helped, you’d like to share?

A. "The goal of the project is to help people live unconventional, remarkable lives. But I think it's good to point out that we can only help people who want our help, so people tend to gravitate toward my work after something has happened to cause them to be more open to change.
It's hard for me to pick one story because so many people are doing amazing things." (For examples of your choosing, just ask Google or Twitter.)

Q. If there was only one piece of advice you could give to other non-conformists trying to make their own way in the world today….what would it be?

A. "You don't have to live your life the way other people expect you to. And here's an optional, second one: you can do good things for yourself and for others at the same time."

Take aways for the week:
Be yourself. Be a seriously good guy...
and watch the world change.


Cheers,
Mo