Thursday, April 14, 2011

A New Path and a Speech

I've been getting into the swing of a whole new gig for 2011.  Major decisions have been made that are taking me down a whole new path!

Big Decisions:
  1. December 23, 2010:  I decided to get out of Real Estate.  This decision deserves a entire blog entry (or three), but in less words...there is something else I would like to accomplish.  Which leads us to..
  2. December 31, 2010:  I've made the goal to write a book this year.  I met with my writing buddy, Beth, on this day and we put together our writing plan.  Much more to come about this!
  3. March 9, 2011:  In order to keep balance in my life I've found an 8:30am - 5pm position for a company that recognizes employees for their strengths.  Not only am I in a great environment but have the means to follow my dreams (while job hunting for this position I worked as an independent contractor in advertising and mental health).
  4. Along with my writing, I have been putting myself into as many speaking opportunities as I can.  Most recently is the International Speech Contest.  There are six levels to the contest.  I have advanced through two so far and will be speaking at the third level this weekend!  Here's a link to my speech that was recorded in the Area contest (the 2nd level).  Nicole's Speech
Sprinkled throughout these big decisions have been many side adventures along the way:
  • met with Bobbie Staten, a nationally recognized Motivational Humorist
  • three and half days of water fasting with my hubby.  Greg made it 7 days!!  He is amazing.
  • many great books (Fall of Giants, Siddhartha, Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, Philosophy for Dummies, Nonfiction Book Proposals and The Agony and The Ecstasy, A Biographical Novel of Michaelangelo) 
  • visited the Buddhist Temple in Bolivia
  • reveled in a fun filled girls weekend in Myrtle Beach
  • met with Tom Morris "who just may be the world's happiest philosopher", author & professional speaker
  • explored a Labyrinth
  • did my first Adventure Race (with my brother and hubby), 
  • was the Murderer at a Murder Mystery dinner party
  • plenty of birthday, baby shower, engagement, and other celebrations throughout these 3 months
I realize now that blog entries need to be dedicated to many of these experiences!  Much more to come!

Monday, January 24, 2011

I promise

Dear Reader,

By the end of 2011, I promise to have written a book about how every day of our life is an adventure.  Each day holds limitless possibilities of discovery.  Every single decision we make takes us down undiscovered paths.  Our choices in each moment are creating the masterpiece that is our life.  You are a trailblazer from the moment you get out of bed.  I promise this book will help you see this in yourself.

You will be empowered.  The power does not lie in the book, it lies within you.  My words will simply serve as a  catalyst in seeing yourself as your own version of Amelia Earhart, a Goonie, Harry Potter, Jacques Cousteau, Froto Baggins, Lief Erickson, Ponce de Leon, Indiana Jones...you are navigating the most thrilling voyage there is, your own life.  In reading this book, you will be instilled with wonder in the "average day".  Actually, an average day will no longer exist.  You'll come to see how exhilarating each moment of your life is because it is you who is creating it with every move you make.  It will encourage you to switch off the auto pilot and fully experience this incredible journey you are on.  With this perspective, you hold immense power in every choice you make, your response or reaction to everything that comes your way.  These decisions have brought you to this moment right now and can take you anywhere.  Doesn't that make you feel alive?  This book will fill you with excitement for your adventure of the day.  It will help you be present.  It will invoke value into what was once mundane.  It is a reminder that we are meant to fully experience and enjoy our short existence in this world.

We are all human and there will be times that we struggle, have doubt and experience pain but I want to remind us that all these experiences (the joy, the pain, the rewards, the losses) are part of the incredible adventure that is our life.  My book will help us see that the power lies in our choices and how we respond to the many turns of our journey.  I promise to share a perspective that will fill us with wonder for every day of our life.

(This was a writing exercise that I did as the beginning phase of writing my book.  It is a letter to the future reader.)