Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspiration. Show all posts
Check out this incredible story from HuffPost:
Deadly Lake Natron Turns Animals Into Ghostly 'Statues'
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I thought I was just offering an answer to the question, “How
Would You Start Your Commencement Address?”
Outside of digging in to how I felt about the state of the
world, and my role in it, inspired by questions asked on Echoing Green’s cool website,
and getting “bragging rights,” I didn’t think anything that remarkable would
happen.
Was I wrong!?! A few days after
my submission, I got an email from Work on Purpose Director, Linda Kay Klein,
congratulating me on winning the Echoing Green Work on Purpose challenge, and
telling me that she had looked me up online, and seen that I was already on the
path of inspiring people! Her comments blew me away, honestly, and made me more
sure than ever that what I was doing was of value. (And here I’d gone to the
Echoing Green website to get inspired!) Linda then offered me an hour long call
to help me finesse my own messaging, communications and story-telling, to help
me through any places where I felt like I was getting stuck, as she put it “so
by the time I DO give that graduation address, I would be ready!” It was as if
she had seen who I wanted to become, before I even was ready to admit it to
myself!
In our coaching call, Linda asked me what she could help me
with. I was preparing a new talk to open the very first TEDx event in Santa Fe.
I felt some pressure, because I was the first speaker and would effectively set
the tone for the entire event, but also because it would be my first time speaking
in public without slides. The benefit of slides is that they can keep you on
track if you forget where you are. In NOT using them, I was stepping outside of
my comfort zone by a mile. I’m not one of those “loves to hear themselves
speak” people who is a natural in front of crowds. I’m only naturally confident
when I am eye-to-eye with people.
Linda helped me to step into a more comfortable frame of
mind when I speak in public by connecting emotionally with my audience. She
gave me permission to let my heart guide my words. That was immensely powerful
and probably the most important thing she taught me, as it’s changed the way I
see the world. Now, I give myself permission to connect with people - even if
it’s a HUGE room full of people - for a great conversation. She also helped me to stay on topic by using
message triangles and to leave my audiences with motivating information -
things they can take home with them and implement in their own lives.
The talk went GREAT and several people stopped me after the
TEDx was done and told me that it was their favorite! Now, a year and a half
later, the lessons of motivating from my heart, of meeting people where they
are, of using message triangles to stay on topic, and of giving people tools to
make a difference in their own lives is coming to fruition in the most
gorgeous, community-impacting ways! I’ve changed the course of my architectural and preservation firm to one that celebrates engaging the community, and I’ve even
started producing a television show to share with people how they can live
better without technology, using the homes they have: to stay warmer in winter,
cooler in summer, have access to water, and to grow their own food on their own
yards.
I cannot thank Echoing Green enough for their investment in
me as a challenge winner. It may have only been an hour of Linda’s time, but
these days, finding mentors who see us in our truest form, and then do
something, anything… to help us achieve our dreams, is a rare, and wonderful
gift.
Please don’t be afraid to put yourselves out there and attempt your own
“Work on Purpose challenge.” No matter what, you’ll grow.
And if you are very
lucky, you’ll win!
Blessings
Several years ago, the great American author
Richard Ford gave a talk at a bookstore. After the reading, a
middle-aged man in the audience stood up during Q&A, and said:
"Mr. Ford, you and I have something in common. Just like you, I have been writing short stories and novels my entire life. You and I are about the same age, from the same background, and we write about the same themes. The only difference is that you have become a celebrated great man of letters, and I — despite decades of effort — have still never been published. This is heartbreaking to me. I have dedicated my life to writing, but with no reward. My spirit has been crushed by all the rejection and disappointment. I wonder if you have any advice for me — but please, sir, whatever you do, don't just dismissively tell me to persevere, because that's the only thing people ever tell me to do, and hearing that only makes things worse."
Richard Ford said in reply, "Sir, I am so sorry for your disappointment. And please believe me, I would never insult you by telling you to simply persevere. I can't even imagine how discouraging that would be for you to hear after all these years of rejection. In fact, I will tell you something else — something that may surprise you. I'm going to tell you that you need to give up. You need to quit writing."
The audience froze. What the hell kind of encouragement was this?
But Richard Ford went on: "I say this to you only because clearly this work is bringing you no pleasure and no satisfaction. Our time on earth short, and it should be enjoyed. I give you permission to leave this dream behind and go find something else to do with your life. Go find something to do that you love, something that brings you reward and peace. Go see the world, take up new hobbies, spend time with your family and friends, fall in love, RELAX. But don't write anymore, because it seems to be killing you."
There was a long silence, and then Mr. Ford smiled kindly, and added, almost as an afterthought: "However, I will say this. If you should happen to discover, after a few years away from writing, that there is nothing you have found in the world that takes the place of writing in your life — nothing that elevates you or inspires you or moves you to the same degree that writing did….well, then, sir, I'm terribly afraid you will have no choice but to return to your labors…and to persevere."
The end
"Mr. Ford, you and I have something in common. Just like you, I have been writing short stories and novels my entire life. You and I are about the same age, from the same background, and we write about the same themes. The only difference is that you have become a celebrated great man of letters, and I — despite decades of effort — have still never been published. This is heartbreaking to me. I have dedicated my life to writing, but with no reward. My spirit has been crushed by all the rejection and disappointment. I wonder if you have any advice for me — but please, sir, whatever you do, don't just dismissively tell me to persevere, because that's the only thing people ever tell me to do, and hearing that only makes things worse."
Richard Ford said in reply, "Sir, I am so sorry for your disappointment. And please believe me, I would never insult you by telling you to simply persevere. I can't even imagine how discouraging that would be for you to hear after all these years of rejection. In fact, I will tell you something else — something that may surprise you. I'm going to tell you that you need to give up. You need to quit writing."
The audience froze. What the hell kind of encouragement was this?
But Richard Ford went on: "I say this to you only because clearly this work is bringing you no pleasure and no satisfaction. Our time on earth short, and it should be enjoyed. I give you permission to leave this dream behind and go find something else to do with your life. Go find something to do that you love, something that brings you reward and peace. Go see the world, take up new hobbies, spend time with your family and friends, fall in love, RELAX. But don't write anymore, because it seems to be killing you."
There was a long silence, and then Mr. Ford smiled kindly, and added, almost as an afterthought: "However, I will say this. If you should happen to discover, after a few years away from writing, that there is nothing you have found in the world that takes the place of writing in your life — nothing that elevates you or inspires you or moves you to the same degree that writing did….well, then, sir, I'm terribly afraid you will have no choice but to return to your labors…and to persevere."
The end
I fell in love with legendary English designer Paul Smith's photography when I saw myself in it...
I was watching the Sundance Channel and Grey Goose Entertainment's Iconocasts: Jamie Oliver and Paul Smith .
I love taking photos. Actually, the doctor who discovered that I was going blind and tried to stop it suggested that I do it. He told me that I needed to start taking photos so I could "burn those ideas into my memory" for when I couldn't see anymore - that way I could remember. It's kindof an awesome sentiment, even if a tad romantic, I think.
Lucky me, 10 years later, I am part blind... but I can still see. And I love telling stories in photos. I think that's why I love Paul Smith's photos. They do too - tell stories. Plus, he's like the reverse version of me... All my designing is just starting to form where his has already been perfected. Of course he's an awesome example to model oneself after!
His photography is more of a journal of sorts... I LOVE this! and I'm using him for inspiration!!!!
Here's MY journal from the past few days:
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Thanks Paul, wherever you are. You are totally awesome. I hope I can come absorb your awesome in person someday.
Love, Rachel
I was watching the Sundance Channel and Grey Goose Entertainment's Iconocasts: Jamie Oliver and Paul Smith .
I love taking photos. Actually, the doctor who discovered that I was going blind and tried to stop it suggested that I do it. He told me that I needed to start taking photos so I could "burn those ideas into my memory" for when I couldn't see anymore - that way I could remember. It's kindof an awesome sentiment, even if a tad romantic, I think.
Lucky me, 10 years later, I am part blind... but I can still see. And I love telling stories in photos. I think that's why I love Paul Smith's photos. They do too - tell stories. Plus, he's like the reverse version of me... All my designing is just starting to form where his has already been perfected. Of course he's an awesome example to model oneself after!
His photography is more of a journal of sorts... I LOVE this! and I'm using him for inspiration!!!!
Here's MY journal from the past few days:
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Thanks Paul, wherever you are. You are totally awesome. I hope I can come absorb your awesome in person someday.
Love, Rachel
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| AMAZING recycled art piece at Seconds Eco Store in the John Dunn Shops |
At the the Arts and Crafts fair at Taos Convention Center THIS WEEKEND ONLY
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| EXTREMELY affordable and stunning wood bowls AVERAGE PRICE $50!!! |
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| A little playfulness |
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| Handpainted silks |
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| Sinuous Ironwork from Phoenix Metalworks |
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| Beautiful beadwork jewels from Gypsy Moon |
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| Earth, Air, Fire, and Water Devas!!! |
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| Bottle Openers gone way cool |
At Stables Gallery Taos Folk Show through December
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| Whimsical wall hangings |
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| One-of-a-kind jewelry |
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| Sculpted glass heart necklaces |
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| Recycled BEAUTY! Tin ornament |
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| Taos Pueblo Pottery Quail |
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| Top of my Christmas List!!! AWESOME Felted Purse $100 |
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| EXQUISITE tile wall hangings $60-$100 |
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| Desert Themed Gourd Ornaments $10-20 |
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| The coolest pottery birdhouse EVER |
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| Cool Stained Glass Hand |
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| Happy Angel ornament |
Always the best of Taos
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| Desert Blends Face Cream is THE best face cream for the desert! People constantly comment on my great skin and Toni's wildcrafted creation is why!!! Her soaps make excellent stocking stuffers! Visit Desert Blends on Bent Street at the John Dunn Shops! |
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