Power of the ‘Systems’

Recently I read a book called ‘Don’t Waste your Talent’ written by Bob McDonald and Don E. Hutchinson which takes the reader on a journey towards creating their ‘Personal Vision’.

The most poignant message of the book was about how deeply our ‘systems’ affect us and our life choices. They use the word ‘system’ to describe the many social groups we are a part of, like our family, our school, our place of work, the city we live in and so on.

Often we get so caught up in assuming the role our ‘systems’ want or need us to be that we forget to look inside ourselves to ask , “Who do I want to be?” or “What is the role I choose?”

These social systems become structures which heavily influence and in as sense, determine our actions. We don’t want to disrupt the social world by acting in a way that threatens the structure ….right?

Wrong!

I say….

Why not push the boundaries?

Why not step out of our comfort zone?

Why not change the system or the structure everyone else seems to follow?
Sometimes it feels like society writes us a script, and we simply read from it. So are we just followers of everyone else?

Through my work as a coach I see the affect that our ‘systems’ can have, if we let them. It feels like people are programmed by their systems to always take the right “next step” – from going to university after high school to having children after getting married. But is that what we TRULY want?

Perhaps your answer is yes….but don’t just assume it to be YES. Ask yourself. Question the system. Don’t just be a follower.

Take control of your life and get what YOU want out of it.

Power of Hawn

She is one powerful woman.

Inspiring.

Very worth listening to.

Power of Will (POWER)

For a dear friend of mine, 2010 started with devastating news. The love of her life, the man she knew she would eventually marry, William Hicks, had a life threatening brain tumour and they needed to operate immediately.

Stunned. Scared. Uncertain. We all hoped for the very best and the best is what we, and Will, all received.

Looking back to May 2008 when I first met Will in Brussels, I knew he was something special. Katie, my friend, was there doing a masters and I had the pleasure of spending a week with the two. We visited all the "spots" of Brussels - including the park and bench they sat on during their first date.

In all my life, I have never seen a love quite like theirs. It's just so obviously real and easy. I felt like I was meeting an extension of her - and in a sense - it was like I was re-meeting Katie.

But this is not a story of love.

This is a story about Will(power). Over the last few months of Will's 'battle' or more like victory, through all the radiation and chemo, he would send out regular updates. His positivity, bountiful spirit and love of life kept me in awe - full of admiration.

Here is a small taste of that spirit –

"Hey Tumor, You want to dance??? I want to Tango..This FRIDAY. Bring your best shot Mofo :)…The good doctor is confident he can remove the lil f**ker in its entirety once again. Since its solid, as opposed to the last time when it was more cystic/fluid filled, we are able to use stealth MRI guidance...sounds cool right...That's because it is!!! Minutes before surgery they'll attach a bunch of cool electrodes to my brain, and use what was described as a 'miini pitch fork' (hilarious) to radiologically mark several places in my brain in order to pinpoint certain areas as well as mark boundries to keep me from losing any functionality...Ya we're getting high tech in this fight.

Winston Churchill once said "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.” While that truth may be hard to bear, I want you to know that I am prepared to continue the fight and bring the pain to this speck of malignant brain. Victory at all costs…..Today's been a wonderful day. Ma, Jaq-o, Lil, and Aunt Ann came over, and Father Griffiths blessed me as we prayed for a successful surgery and victorious road ahead. The Koch family came and hung out for a bit too. I am feeling absolutely unbeatable and if you cant tell I'm freakin AMP'D....lets do this. Please continue to pray, smile, and send positive thoughts our way. United we are UNSTOPPABLE.”

– Will Hicks

Last month, Katie and Will were married in Chicago's Botanical Gardens on a perfect summer day – it was stunning.

Each guest was given a bracelet with WILL POWER engraved in it. Worn proudly, each of us felt privileged to be apart of the 'power of will' movement.




Touched by his energy and warm smile, I am inspired.

Cancer is nothing to be afraid of, it is something that must be conquered.

I learned that from both my father and Will.

Life is precious and worth fighting for.

Power of True Love

I think in one way or another...we all wish for something like this.

It's just so real....easy.

Love at 81, after 62 years, is a beautiful concept.

Power of "That guy"!

Several months ago a friend of mine showed me a website he called the 'that guy' page. It turns out it was simply that - a page full of images of all those character actors you can't remember by name, but when you see their faces you say, "Oh, THAT guy"!

What does it really mean to be a "that guy"? A washed up character actor? A failed career? Not quite good enough? An unmemorable name?

I argue it is none of the above.

Each and every 'that guy' has had a career to remember and be proud of. They are all accomplished and talented - they just didn't wind up on the cover of People or perezhilton.com (thankfully!).

Being a 'that guy' implies you are worth remembering but you chose a path with less stand out moments.

Yesterday, a memorable (or unmemorable depending on how you look at it) character actor and infamous 'that guy' passed away. Maury Chaykin was in over 150 films and TV shows over the last 35 years. He was my mothers ex-husband, he was Uncle Maury to my brother and I....

he was a 'that guy' and one I will never forget.

Power of 4.44 Length Videos

One word: wow.

Power of Returning to Paris

Since the first time I came to Paris in March 2002, I have returned almost every year. This is the first year I have come in May and what a delight. The tulips are out, the sun is shining and the air is crisp and warm at the same time.

Although I have never lived here, each time I return it feels like coming home. I get a fresh perspective on my life, time to think about where I am going and as they say "smell the [tulips]".

It is so important in our world to take time for YOU. So many people ask me what the secret is....and its simple. To be honest, I wouldn't even call it a secret.

Its be YOU and give yourself TIME to yourself.

You are the only person you have, so hold on. Enjoy it.