Love Scale

The Love Scale Yesterday I was speaking at PSU Women’s Forum in Portland, and everyone there was really amazing  – speakers, participants, panelists. One of the morning speakers was Victoria Lara, and she told a story that stuck with me. Victoria said that some years back she had been under a lot of stress and was working all the time. One day she passed out due to exhaustion and stress, and had a mild heart attack.  During the time she was unconscious she had a near death experience. In her experience she saw a long, long line of all the people she had ever known, helped or connected with. It went on and on. There were all kinds of people from her work world, from her personal life, from her community advocacy and service. In that line were her two children, and her brother who had passed. The people were in that line because they were waiting to get on a scale. A love scale. One-by-one, they would step up to this scale, and it would tell her how much love they had given to her and how much love she had given to them in exchange. The love scale. That powerful image reminded me of what we're measured for in life. What she learned from this - and what she shared with the audience - is that it's so, so important to connect with those around you. Not that fake, “How you doing?” “Oh just fine,” kind of connection, but to really take the time to fully experience another human being, or living creature, or just the world around you. You have the capacity to be a powerful vehicle for love. This week, step onto the love scale and see how much love you give to yourself and how much love life gives to you. I think you’ll be surprised at how much there is to go around. #givelovegenius #givelove

Love Over Fear

Wow this is a troubling time. Heartbreaking. Difficult. Lots of fear everywhere. Fear can have a powerful grasp if you let it in. It can choke creativity and freedom and put a big stop to your momentum. You can freeze in the face of fear, or you can take control, double down and keep moving. When I was studying as an actor in NYC, late one night after some serious partying, our car broke down in a very scary part of town. I was petrified to even get out of the car.  The woman I was with, turned to me and said, “Well, we can’t stay here.”  She steered us into the closest all night convenience store and brought out 2 big steaming hot cups of coffee and handed one to me. “Here”, she said, “We probably need this to keep our hands warm and if someone unruly comes by, here’s our response.”  Then she turned and we started quickly walking towards the subway station way across town, both of us talking as loud as we could, at her insistence. She seemed so brave to me. Her instincts just kicked into high gear and the next thing I knew we were home. Safely.  I learned how important it is to step into and through your fear. Be bold and be smart.  Fear tries to hold you frozen in place. But right here during these times, let’s choose love over fear.  As a country we have come so far in our state of consciousness in some areas, we can’t go back. This is the month of Pride so let’s celebrate for all those who can’t. Get out and show your love and support for the people around you.  Meet your neighbors, take a box of biscuits to the lady down the street with that barky dog, show compassion to people who are having a hard time and just give as much love as you can. Thank people for being in your life and be thankful for your life. Love is the antidote to fear and hate. Take the love challenge and see just how much love we can give, to ourselves for who we are and to those around us for being with us on this journey. Tip of the Week   Be PROUD  YOU are amazing so be PROUD. View More BlastOff.Today Don't forget to check in with the BlastOff.Today community site and see all the Awesome maps people are creating. #CreativeGeniusYOU!

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This Holiday Make it a GiveLoveCation Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

THIS HOLIDAY MAKE IT A GIVELOVECATION Okay I admit, we went on vacation.  Whenever I go on vacation and I realize some of you are back at work, I feel a twinge of guilt until I remember that you were on vacation when I was working last year. I wonder what would happen if we all went on vacation at the same time, like for a full week?  Everyone would know it was coming and we’d all stock up on weird food like canned Spam and Stagg chili like some of us do when there is a threat of natural disaster. Then shazam! Staycation would begin – you’d sleep late, share day old newspapers, play ball in the street with your kids or build snow people…and do good things for those you love. We'd call it a GiveLovecation. You’d listen to your partner, spouse or kid just because you loved them. AND you’d finally listen without giving advice. You’d hold the door. Or you’d randomly pick up trash because you loved your neighborhood so much. You’d cook dinner for someone single, with or without kids. Afterwards, you’d play video games with them and let them beat you. You’d make sure everyone had enough food and if they didn’t, you’d feed them. You’d wash your teenage neighbor’s car - just because. You’d let your dog lick the plates (just this once – ewwwww!) then you’d walk them as far as they wanted to walk – off leash. We are coming up on that big holidaze of stuff. This year in addition to, or instead of,giving things, if you and your family already have enough stuff, why not start your own GiveLoveCation. Give love to each other – really give love without the... “See, I listen to you sometimes…”  Give love to your neighbors and your friends. Give love to those who you suspect might really need a little extra love. You and I both know that most people don’t need that tacky, smelly candle, they just rather be loved. Go love ‘em up. Thank you all for everything you are doing in the world to make it a better place. I. LOVE. YOU.  2014 EVENTS - Oh yes, it's almost here. Friday, January 3 – AM NORTHWEST  New Year, New You segment.  I'll be interviewed on daytime TV KATU-TV (ABC)  Portland Unity Church – New Year, New You Workshop January 12th I’ll be doing the services in the AM and then in the afternoon from 1:00-3:00, I will be leading avision to reality workshop.  Want to start your year off with all big bang?  Come join me for $35 to DRAW YOUR DREAMS INTO REALITY for 2014 and beyond. PS. You don't need to know how to draw.     CAN YOU ENVISION IT? WORKING WITH TEENS Lisa DeKrey fromTastefully Simplesuggested to me a LONGTIMEAGO that I should write a book on goal setting for teens. I'll be running some vision to reality focus groups in the PNW with teens to find out what they really need in preparation. If you are connected to a school that might be interested in being a part of this project, please have email me. RADIANT LONGEVITY INTERNATIONAL SUMMIT ANCIENT WISDOM FOR CREATING VIBRANT HEALTH IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE This is going to be an awesome line-up of interviews and I've been asked to be part of it. If you want to listen in to these amazing interviews, check out Stacy Romillah I'll be keeping you posted on this as the weeks go by. Save January 23rd for sure ;-)   SHOUT OUT DAVID CARRIERE This guy makes so much happen behind the scenes for me. Whether he is pitching my book, or getting me onto some radio or TV show, my Public Relations aficionado, David Carriere, is #awesome. If you are thinking about publishing a book and need a helping hand on the PR end, check him out.