Mike O’Mary (pictured left) believes every one of us has the power to change someone’s life.
When Mike was a teenager, his brothers and sisters were placed in an orphanage. He moved away to live with his father, but he visited his siblings whenever he could. While Mike always tried to do something special during the time they spent together, he never really knew what his brothers and sisters thought of him or his visits with them.
But many years later, Mike received a letter in the mail. He opened it to find a hand-written note from his youngest sister. In that note, she told Mike how much she appreciated his kindness during one of his visits, when he took her out to choose a Christmas tree. She said it was the first time anyone had ever taken her to pick out a tree, and how after all this time she had never forgotten how wonderful she had felt that day.
That note healed years of self-doubt Mike had carried with him since he was a youth. He was so moved by his sister’s note he could not help but reread it many, many times.
But then one day, Mike realized there was tremendous power in this simple note, and he decided it would be a good idea to share the story of his sister’s note with other people. First he told the story in a newspaper article. Later, he wrote a book called The Note. Mike was encouraged by the response he received from the public.
But one day, Mike woke up and thought, “If one simple hand-written note can change my life so profoundly, what if I could inspire one million people to write a note of appreciation? It could make the world a million times better.”
And that, in a nutshell, is the essence of Mike’s latest creation:
The Note Project is a global movement to make the world a million times better by inspiring 1 million people to write a note of appreciation to someone who made a difference in their lives. It is free to join AND because Mike is so passionate about writing notes of appreciation, a portion of all proceeds from the sale of his book The Note on The Note Project website goes to charities that support literacy projects around the world.
Mike’s vision for how The Note Project will change the world is pretty inspiring. He says, “Everyone has the power to make the world a million times better. And it’s so simple. Just think of all the people who have made a difference in your life, whether friends, family members, neighbors, teachers, employers, co-workers, old classmates. Think of the good times you had together or the nice things they did for you…Maybe they cheered you up when you were sad or made you feel special when you were questioning your self-worth…Whatever it was, a simple note of appreciation from you could make their day, their week, and maybe even their whole year!”
To celebrate the launch of The Note Project, Mike is hosting a FREE 3-day online Note Project Telesummit where you will hear wisdom from 10 world-renowned authors, artists and speakers on the topic of “Appreciation as a Way of Life.”
P.S.: It’s completely free to join the movement to make your pledge to send a note at http://noteproject.com. But if you need a little help to think of ways to write your note, check out Mike’s book The Note on his website.It’s available either as a full color gift book (for $14.95) or as an eBook (for only $1). When you buy the book during the month of April, you can receive a great collection of free gifts. See http://noteproject.com/launch/pages/ekit.html for details.
Lynn explores the many ways our inner fears contribute to our stopping short of unbridled Joy in our lives.
PICTURED LEFT: photo of an actual wooden “stairway to heaven” ascending more than 50 metres, used by the famous “Voladores de Papantla” in Central America, whose breathtaking annual springtime “flying” ritual is famous worldwide.
A few years ago, I enrolled on a mega-personal-development course where I had to complete a series of physical challenges, many involving heights. One of the first challenges was to climb up to a balance beam about 25 feet high and walk across it–blindfolded. Of course, there was absolutely no danger involved, as all of us had secure harnesses attached to our bodies, with a team of strong people ensuring our safety at all times. But the ego-mind is very good at creating its own messages, even if your logical brain knows you are perfectly safe. And what is so interesting is that the messages it creates might not have anything whatsoever to do with the current situation. In all likelihood, you might find yourself replaying some very old “tapes” in your head that you might not even have thought of for years.
And that is precisely what happened to me. As I got close to the top of the pole I was climbing to get up to the balance beam, I suddenly froze. There was no way I could bring myself to make those few last steps to stand up on that beam.
Why?
Because all I could think of when faced with the prospect of walking across that 25-foot high plank of wood were images of me in 10th Grade, as I wobbled fearfully along a 3-foot high balance beam in my P.E. class, and the teacher made fun of me in front of the class saying, “Serafinn, you’re fat and you’re useless. Can’t you do anything?”
And as I replayed that mouldy, old tape (which I hadn’t even realised I still carried with me), the voices in my head said, You have NEVER been able to walk across a balance beam in the past, and you will NEVER walk across this one either. Your body is fat and useless. Don’t’ even think about this. Get OUT now!
Totally “triggered” by this inner drama, an overwhelming sense of panic, shame and sheer terror made me freeze. I simply couldn’t move. I shouted down to my course leader, “No, no, I can’t do this. I know I can’t. I’m bailing. I need to get down NOW.” And immediately I let go of the pole and sailed down to the ground on my guide ropes (even letting go was a challenge). When I landed, my entire body shook uncontrollably from the adrenaline flooding my every muscle. My legs collapsed under me and my hands were in intense pain from all the stress hormones.
My hands shaking the whole time, I took out my journal and wrote for a few minutes, exploring my flurry of emotions around this strange experience. But later, when I returned to watch some of the others on the course, I noticed that many people started out scared to death, but became elated when they got on top of, and eventually across, the beam. As I watched, I saw they were actually enjoying themselves in spite of–or maybe even because of–the fear.
My sense of “shame” and “failure” made me angry–at myself. I realised I had convinced myself I would fail, and had deprived myself of the elation others were experiencing when they had gone past their own limits.
I harnessed this anger as I approached the next challenge–climbing now a 30-foot telephone pole to the top. It looked REALLY high! But this time, I was not going to stop. I growled with anger. I shouted. I grunted. I swore. I told myself I WILL make it to the top. I will. I will. I will.
And after overcoming a few obstacles here and there along the way, I climbed just high enough to touch the “cookie” on the top of the pole. I was really happy, and felt so proud of myself.
But then, my course leader called up to me and said, “That’s great, Lynn! So, what do you want to do now?
“Now?” I asked. “But I’ve already reached the top. What do you mean?”
“Well, would you like to stand on TOP of the pole too?”
In my head, I was saying, What? On top? You want me to stand up on top of a 10-inch diameter surface 30 feet in the air? Are you kidding?
But what I replied was, “Uh, no thanks, I’m happy enough with this.” And I took a moment to hug the pole, which had carried me to the top.
I came down feeling really proud of myself. After all, I hadn’t bailed out of the challenge. But in spite of feeling happy, I noticed I didn’t feel that real rush of elation I saw others express who did choose to stand atop the pole and free-fall down to earth (on the guide ropes, of course).
After meditating upon this, I began to understand that the thing that had stopped me short of that elation was my perspective. I had viewed climbing onto the top of the pole as a danger that threatened my happiness; I didn’t want to ruin my happiness by trying something so risky. But actually, the Universe was offering me the opportunity to experience more joy. But I chose not to receive it– for the moment.
Fortunately, I had the chance to stretch my limits one last time a few months later. This time, the challenge was a 35-foot high tightrope walk! But this wasn’t just a solo walk. I had to synchronise my walk with a partner who was walking on another rope a fair distance across from me, using a balancing pole.
Well, let me tell you, every single step I took climbing up to the tightrope made my heart POUND with sheer terror! But by this time, I had finally learned how to stop, acknowledge the fear, wait a moment, and continue. When I finally stepped onto the tightrope, I was completely and utterly thrilled. I had never actually STOOD so high up before, what to speak of being on a narrow, unstable wire, and working with a partner to boot!
Every step we took together was a sheer (terrifying) joy.
But then, when we got just past the halfway mark, one of my feet slipped off the wire, and for safety reasons I was instructed to let go of the pole and glide back down to the ground.
As I touched down, I felt, at long last, the rush, the elation, the sheer ecstatic JOY I had previously only witnessed in others. My partner and I were jumping up and down and hugging each other, delighted that we had survived the challenge without quitting, even if we hadn’t made it all the way across. I was buzzing. I was alive. I was so pleased with myself for mastering the art of walking WITH fear instead of fighting against it.
But then, our course leader came over to us and asked, “You two were the first in the group to do this activity, and other people have learned from watching what you did. Would you like another chance to try it again later?”
And do you know what my brain said?
It said, What if you go up and you cannot get past your fear this time? Then, it will take away all the joy you are experiencing now. No, don’t do it again. You don’t need to finish the task. You have enough joy for now.
Enough joy??
That was 3 years ago, and a heck of a lot about me has changed since then.
Looking back on it now, I can see that while I definitely had made some major breakthroughs during that whole process, what I had not yet fully learned was the depth of my own willingness to accept less than the very best for myself. I seemed to be satisfied with overcoming my obstacles, rather than being passionately desirous of true, unfettered joy. And this was not limited to physical challenges–it actually entered into every aspect of my life: from career and financial success, to health, to love, to fun, to spiritual fulfilment.
And I as looked around me, I saw I was not the only one.
Everywhere I looked, I could see people living lives in which they felt “happy enough” by:
Focussing on getting out of financial hardship versus wanting to create genuine wealth
Focussing on overcoming physical ailments versus wanting to create true health and vitality
Focussing on resolving conflict versus wanting to create true intimacy
Focussing on “making a living” versus wanting to create a lasting legacy
Nope. Not anymore. Not me. No more “happy enough.”
Now, I’m ready to stand on top of that telephone pole–to feel the ecstasy of reaching “The Pinnacle.”
And on that note, I would like to invite you to join me and my very good friend, Allison Maslan for a warm and wonderful 2-session teleseminar called:
(*Please note, this is a date change from previous announcement)
On these two calls, we’ll be talking about 10 secrets that help you reach your Pinnacle in your business and your personal life, so you never find yourself settling for being “happy enough” again.
I hope to see you there!
P.S.: And if you’re REALLY serious, Allison also has a great new mastermind group called “The Pinnacle Program.” It’s starting in January in San Diego, California. I’ll be there (for sure!). Have a look and apply if you want to join us at http://tinyurl.com/PinnacleProgram
By guest author Maria Gamb (pictured left). Maria is a former fortune 500 executive and author of the book ‘Healing the Corporate World’, examines how the impact of our responses to situations where our gut tells us something is wrong.
There are times when we all hit ‘the wall.’
We hit that wall when we start to wonder whether or not what we’re doing is making any kind of impact – not just on ourselves and our families, but also on those around us. So many times I have heard people ask, “Am I supposed to be working at the job I currently have?” People question their level of fulfillment and wonder what it’s all for– especially given all that’s transpired from an economic standpoint over the past few years.
Something’s gone awry in business. On morning radio and TV shows, pundits argue one way or the other about how to cure this problem. Recently I watched one commentator waving a large red pointer as he jumped up and down about financial projections and shortfalls. But is this really what’s going to motivate business to change and bring it back to its bastion of integrity and profitability?
Executives and entrepreneurs alike are facing the same problems: lack of motivation, less than stellar morale, and lack of fulfillment or a sense of accomplishment. They are fearful about their security and future.
But simply leaving the corporate world and working for oneself is not necessarily the solution. Sitting in a local coffee shop the other day, I overheard a conversation where one professional-looking woman was speaking to her sympathetic friend.
As she sipped her Americano, I heard the woman say, “I just want to walk out of this job and go weave baskets on the beach in Bali!”
Her friend replied, “Hey at least you have a steady job! I’m self-employed and it feels that way for me too. I thought I was supposed to be happier this way. I thought I was going to feel fulfilled doing work I believed in. But I can’t honestly say I am.”
They both stared at each other, looking beleaguered.
People want to feel productive. People want to make a difference where they work no matter what it is that they do. Many are tired of the problems we’ve faced in business year after year and are fed up. And they want to be making a better living (read money). However they are not quite sure how anything will get better.
So what’s the alternative?
It actually starts with each person– from corporate executives to the office worker to the self-employed– realizing that they are so much more powerful than they know, and by taking personal responsibility for their own happiness and fulfillment. It means they will have to make a shift and undergo the same kind of transformation needed in many businesses today: working from the inside out.
To celebrate the launch of my new book, which is coming to Amazon on October 12th, I would like to invite you to attend a very special FREE 4-part online telesummit with 9 guest speakers on this very topic:
On this event, over the course of 4 days, you will get to hear thoughts from a distinguished panel of 9 passionate and innovative authors and speakers (ok, I’m one of them) to discuss the ingredients for becoming the ‘Change Agent’ in your business, in your life and in the world.
I believe people are the greatest raw material in any business when their mindset and belief is focused on creating rather than competing. When our values and rules of engagement, both for ourselves and our teams, are in alignment, we can finally become the Change Agents and get past that brick wall.
In our modern society today, we as a culture spend enormous sums of money every year on our “healing” needs—from medicine and pharmaceuticals to alternative therapies of all kinds. We also spend millions on academic education. But rarely, if ever, do we spend money on educating ourselves on how to heal—especially emotionally.
My client, friend and colleague Luis Angel Diaz has written a book called Memory in the Cells: how to change behavioral patterns and release the pain body, which is coming out on Amazon on Tuesday October 5th. Luis’ work is ALL about emotional education: teaching people how to become more aware of the sensations locked within the cells of their bodies so they can understand what is really going on inside emotionally.
Luis feels this topic is so important he has organized a free 3-day online event called “Emotional Healing at a Cellular Level”, and has asked me to host the event. Together, we have brought together a panel of 7 guest speakers, including myself, who are passionate about helping others heal by teaching them how to become more aware and more sensitized in all aspects of their lives.
This special telesummit will take place on Mon Sept 27th, Tues Sept 28th and Wed Sept 29th at 12pm – 1.30pm Pacific (3pm – 4.30pm Eastern; 8pm – 9.30pm UK).
CLICK IMAGE to WATCH the VIDEO PREVIEW for this EVENT:
Here’s a brief overview of the topics and guest line up:
Day 1: Monday September 27, 2010 The Power of Beliefs On Day 1, you’ll be hearing about The Power of Beliefs, and how our beliefs shape our feelings and emotions, which shape our behavior and life decisions. On that day, our special guests will be:
VIP Guest: Rochele Hirsch, author of the books The Theory of How Come, Emotions in the Workplace: Love at Work, and True Energy and the Chemistry of Relationships.
VIP Guest: Arjuna Ardagh,“Awakening Coach” and author of 8 books including the bestseller, “The Translucent Revolution”
Host: Luis Angel Diaz, Creator of CMR-Cellular Memory Release and author of the new book Memory in the Cells
Host: Lynn Serafinn, transformation coach, marketing coach, author of The Garden of the Soul.
Day 2: Tuesday September 28, 2010 How Emotions attract/manifest our lives
On Day 2 we’ll be talking about how emotions attract and manifest our lives, and what we can do to change those stuck patterns and emotions that no longer serve us, but are held in the cellular memory. On that day, our special guests will be:
VIP Guest: Patrick Ryan, Executive Coach, Founder of Awakened Wisdom and author of the spirituality bestseller: Awakened Wisdom: a guide to reclaiming your brilliance.
Host: Luis Angel Diaz, Creator of CMR-Cellular Memory Release and author of the new book Memory in the Cells
Host: Lynn Serafinn, transformation coach, marketing coach, author of The Garden of the Soul.
Day 3: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 Transformation is the only key to true freedom
What is self-transformation? What is living from that place instead of being a victim of life? How can being authentic and honest with ourselves and our feelings pay us the dividends of inner peace, harmony and total freedom? On that day, our special guests will be:
VIP Guest: Warrior Sage Satyen Raja, Kung-Fu Master and trainer of the renowned Illumination Intensive
VIP Guest: Lisa Schrader, sacred sexuality teacher, international media personality and author of the book Kama Sutra 52, Lisa Schrader.
Host: Luis Angel Diaz, Creator of CMR-Cellular Memory Release and author of the new book Memory in the Cells
Host: Lynn Serafinn, transformation coach, marketing coach, author of The Garden of the Soul.
Attendance is absolutely FR*EE!
You can listen to the call either via telephone or via webcast.
Even if you can’t make the live event, go ahead and sign up anyway, because you will receive the links to download the audio after the events are over, so you can enjoy this lively discussion about one of the most cutting-edge and important topics of our modern times—the healing of our bodies, minds and hearts.
Lynn Serafinn is a an award-winning transformation coach, book promotion coach, radio host and bestselling author of the book The Garden of the Soul: lessons from four flowers that unearth the Self. She also works as a campaign manager for mind-body-spirit authors and has produced three #1-selling book campaigns, and another #2-selling campaign, in 2010 so far. She is also the creator of Spirit Authors, which offers training, coaching, business-building and inspiration for mind-body-spirit authors, whether established or aspiring. To contact Lynn for coaching, campaign management or media appearances, please fill in the form at http://spiritauthors.com/contact.
Presenting an exciting NEW concept on the Internet, combining coaching, learning, community and business-building in a creative, spirit-based environment…
Spirit Authors (www.spiritauthors.com) is an innovative new membership site where established, new and aspiring authors in the mind-body-spirit genre can find everything and everyone they need to make their publication a success. Founded by bestselling author and award-winner teacher and coach, Lynn Serafinn, Spirit Authors provides learning, support and professional resources to mind-body-spirit authors, whether you are just starting out, or are already successfully published.
Won’t you please join us for our Grand Opening Celebration?
Monday 22 February through Friday 26 February (one webcast per day), from 3pm Eastern (8pm UK)
FIVE unique broadcasts on different topics including writing, publishing and marketing your book and beyond
FREE to attend; FREE to listen (via webcast)
A superb VIP panel of 18 spirit-based industry professionals, all leaders in their fields
Panellists include top-selling mind-body-spirit authors, editors, marketing specialists, translators, literary agents, publishers and basically wonderful people.
On the broadcasts, you will…
Hear the experiences and insights of 18 leading mind-body-spirit publishing professionals
Learn lots of new things about spirit-based writing, publishing and promotion
Have the opportunity to direct questions to the VIP panel via our webcast
Find out how you can “Test Drive” Spirit Authors Virtual Coaching and Learning Experience for only $1
Receive some great free gifts just for checking it out.
Can’t make it to the live broadcasts?
No problem! Register for the webcasts you want, and you will receive a link to download the MP3 after the event. But don’t leave it too long before you listen to them… we’ll be giving away some freebies that will be available only during the week of the Grand Opening launch.
Who are our VIPs?
HOST: Lynn Serafinn, bestselling author, book promotion coach
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Bestselling author, coach and book marketer Lynn Serafinn hosts empath coach, metaphysical teacher, spiritual author and host of 'We Are One in Spirit' Podcast, Yvonne Perry. For many years, Yvonne Perry’s empathic abilities caused great distress until she learned how to protect her auric field. Her best-selling book, 'Whose Stuff Is This? Fin […]
Bestselling author, coach and book marketer Lynn Serafinn hosts spiritual author, minister, blessing giver and empowerment coach, Charlene M. Proctor , Ph.D. Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D. is an ordained Minister of Spiritual Peacemaking and a Deeksha facilitator trained by the oneness guides from Fiji and India. She is the bestselling author of 'Let Your G […]
Bestselling author, coach and book marketer Lynn Serafinn hosts author, spiritual educator, organizational psychologist, leadership development consultant, executive and life coach Sarah Rozenthuler. As a young woman, Sarah has struggled to talk with people, including loved ones, at key moments in her life. Because of this, she was always been interested in […]
Bestselling author, coach and book marketer Lynn Serafinn hosts author, revolutionary spiritual teacher and healer, Barbra White. From the age of twelve, Barbra White began hearing spirits, angels and even God. In her youth, she didn't understand what was happening, which caused her anger and unhappiness. When she grew up, Barbra devoted her life to hel […]
Bestselling author, coach and book marketer Lynn Serafinn hosts author, revolutionary spiritual teacher and healer, Barbra White. From the age of twelve, Barbra White began hearing spirits, angels and even God. In her youth, she didn't understand what was happening, which caused her anger and unhappiness. When she grew up, Barbra devoted her life to hel […]
Bestselling author, coach and book marketer Lynn Serafinn hosts Author, peace activist, Iraq war veteran, Paul Chappell. The son of a half-black and half-white father and a Korean mother, Paul Chappell grew up in Alabama. His father had been in the military, and had served in both Korea and Vietnam. Coming from this background, Paul was surrounded with viole […]
Bestselling author, coach and book marketer Lynn Serafinn hosts physician, spiritual author and teacher, Karen Wyatt MD. Dr. Karen Wyatt first became involved in hospice work when she was recovering from the grief of her father’s death from suicide. What she discovered from working with dying patients was not only the means for healing her own grief, but als […]
READ “The Garden of the Soul”
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FREE PODCASTS: To receive nearly 8 hours of audio podcasts on writing, publishing and book promotion by 18 TOP mind-body-spirit publishing experts, CLICK HERE
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By guest author Maria Gamb (pictured left). Maria is a former fortune 500 executive and author of the book ‘Healing the Corporate World’, examines how the impact of our responses to situations where our gut tells us something is wrong.
In our modern society today, we as a culture spend enormous sums of money every year on our “healing” needs—from medicine and pharmaceuticals to alternative therapies of all kinds. We also spend millions on academic education. But rarely, if ever, do we spend money on educating ourselves on how to heal—especially emotionally.
