Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

in·spire: to breathe life into

To breathe life into – conjures up images of creating in epic proportions; I love the active, dynamic quality of this definition.

Gandi eloquently challenged us with the words, “you must be the change you wish to see in the world” and it seems to me that Raam Dev picked up the gauntlet with a passion. In the time that I’ve “known” him (we’ve yet to meet in person) he seems a natural at breathing life into dreams. It’ll come as no surprise then that this is what I so appreciate about him.

You may have read about how I “met” Raam when I shared his eBook, Small Ways to Make a Big Difference with you  a couple of months ago. From our first interaction I felt a connection and I began to follow him on his blog as well as Twitter.

He describes himself as,

“a writer, techie, minimalist, vegetarian, and philosopher. I live as a digital nomad and travel the world with a mission to develop sustainable abundance through living and working purposefully.“

That’s the tip of the iceberg in my opinion. I’ve spent countless hours reading the updates from his 6 month journey, enjoying the photography and most of all, expanding my thinking by reading the comments left on his blog. He has a way of encouraging engagement in a simple and welcoming way that clearly makes many people want to be part of his community.

It is with appreciation of who he is that I shine the light on him this week:

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I have two words for you this week:

Beach Music

Over to you:

• Where are you headed?
• What awaits at your journey’s end?

For a reminder of how Your Words works, click here.

When I began coaching almost 10 years ago, it was common for people to ask, “What sport?”

These days more people know about coaching but here’s what I’ve been hearing in conversations – they don’t necessarily know how to use it or apply it to what they’re up to in life.

It’s like when you buy a gadget (I’m sure I’m not the only one with a drawer full of kitchen gagdets, right?)

You think it’s awesome and you impulsively buy it. You get the awesome thing home and then…you forget about it. By the time you do pick it up again, you have completely forgotten what it’s for or how to use it.

Coaching is a bit like that. I’ve had clients hire me all excited to begin pursuing a dream, only to change their mind, succumb to their doubts and fears (hello lizard brain) and forget all about it.

Just like that gagdet in the drawer.

You didn’t really want to write that book, run that marathon, build that business…did you?

YES, you did. And I think you still do so let’s pull your dream out of that drawer, shall we?

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Late last night the fire alarm went off in our building, startling me out of my not-quite-asleep state. We’ve had numerous false alarms in the three years we’ve lived here, which usually end up being a quick hello with the neighbours.

Last night was different.

It was like an episode of Rescue Me, only I didn’t see Dennis Leary anywhere.

Mark and I got up, moving rather slowly, thinking it was probably just another false alarm. Then we saw the flames on the rooftop on the other side of the building and the adrenalin kicked in.

In my pajamas, I grabbed my wallet and iPhone as someone pounded on our door to leave. My heart started racing.

In front of the building were my neighbours, many of whom I’ve not met even though we’ve lived here for three years. I wondered out loud “if a block party mighn’t be a better way to connect” drawing laughter and smiles.

It’s my default: humour, playfulness, a what-else-is-possible way of viewing life. Yet, even though I have this perspective, sometimes I need a wake up call to remember all the goodness in my life.

Staff from the nearby Red Robin restaurant came down with water and coffee, providing a much welcomed bit of caring amidst the chaos.

Neighbours were looking out for each other, connecting in the dark.

It’s easy to take for granted isn’t it?

Not today.

Today I am grateful for:

• the fact that no one was hurt last night, and the damage was minimal
• Mark and I celebrating our one year anniversary
• the amazing, extraordinary people in my life: family, friends, clients – so much love it’s hard to take in sometimes
• love – pure and simple, messy and complicated – love

Over to you:

Don’t wait for the pounding on the door to wake you up.

Tell someone you love them, count your blessings and be present to the goodness in your life.

Go.

Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things

It’s going to be really easy for you to understand why I follow a passionate, vegan, web guru named Ali Dark and why I think you should too.

In a recent post, A Love Letter to (some) Bloggers Ali says,

“I’m looking at how you’re living your life, and I’m thinking about how to improve my own life.”

“I’m loving your attitude - and likewise – I’m working on becoming that person I want to be.”

“Watching you do your best helps me do my best.”

He speaks of heartfelt integrity, helping people shine and he walks his talk.

He was one of the first people I followed on Twitter and in a short time, I felt like I’d found a friend on the other side of the world. Yes, he’s down under and shining all the way from Brisbane to Vancouver!

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“Same as what they taught you as a lifeguard; you have to save yourself before you can save anyone else.” – Phillip Meyer

du-ty

1.  something that one is expected or required to do by moral or legal obligation

2. an act or expression of respect

Over to you:

• Who’s watching over you?
• What duty might you owe yourself?

For a reminder of how Your Words works, click here.

“Do one thing everyday that scares you.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

We need to talk.

If we were dating, it’d be time to fess up (I’m on a roll, this is my second confession this week) and that scares me.

Since we started seeing each other four months ago (has it really only been 4 months?) I’ve been wanting to make a good impression, wanting to show you my “best”.

Except…

What I thought was my “best” was not. Likable, nice, funny, smart – check. My best? Not so much.

I’m saying this because I’ve had moments of:

• biting my tongue
• suppressing myself
• ignoring my instincts
• sweeping a thought under the rug

I have stopped myself in so many ways from saying what I wanted to say. But enough is enough; this can’t go on.

If I could say anything, I’d say what I wanted to say, straight up.

I’ve been afraid.

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Thirty one days ago I took on a challenge.

This, in and of itself, was not that big a deal because I do that often. The sound of a gauntlet being thrown is akin to Pavlov and his salivating dogs; I can’t seem to help myself!

This challenge was different though. It was a challenge related to something close to my heart, a long held dream.

What we often forget about dreams is that they can change. They can grow and expand, and sometimes morph into something entirely different.

When that happens we have a choice.

We can hold on fast to our original dreams OR we can take a deep breath and expand.

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