“Any great and inspiring leader or organization that ever existed set out to do something completely unrealistic.”
Simon Sinek
When I read this quote it struck me, as I am one for seeming at times “unrealistic”. I cannot count the times in my life that someone told me something was not possible, that I lived in a fantasy world, that my I needed to be “realistic.”
What is realistic anyway? Is it not in the eye of the beholder? I wonder what would have happened if some of the greatest leaders, athletes, scientists and educators listened to the naysayers. Our world would not be as rich, that I know for sure. The greatest inventions, cures, technology and businesses have been born out of awesome people not listening to those who say it’s not possible.
A quote I shared last month has become my mantra, and possibly my next tattoo. It speaks so much to this principle of “realistic”. The quote from Rose Etheridge begins with “Follow Your Inner GPS…” That is so powerful to me, as I believe that we each have our own reality, our own dreams and desires and nobody can tell us if its right or not.
Each of us possesses within us great abilities to make amazing things happen. And so many times, our light is dimmed by someone who does not dream as big as we do.
If I had listened to the naysayers I would not have:
Gone to college
Dropped out of college
Gone to beauty school (did not drop out, did awesome instead)
Worked for one of the greatest professional haircare companies in the world
Become VP of Marketing for that company
Gracefully walked away from “the greatest career in the world”
Started my own business
Began writing a book with the dream of being a published author
What “unrealistic” things have you done that make your heart smile? What would you do if anything was possible?
Next time you have a thought, idea or plan that feels right to you, and you have gathered all of the tools and resources you need to make it happen, remember to follow your inner GPS.
“Your passion must come from the things that fuel you from the inside.”
Randy Pausch, author of The Last Lecture
As I sit here on the eve of the last day I ever spent with my Dad alive, to say I am in a space of reflection is an understatement. Everyday for the last 5 weeks, I have replayed every moment. If you have lost a loved one, I know you can totally relate.
From the rainy Monday morning in early last November when I first got the call, to the long drive to the hospital that morning, the three week vigil at his bedside praying that he would wake up, to these last two weeks, when he was awake, and we were promised he would be home by Christmas.
It was Thursday, December 8th 2011, the last day I spent with him, just he and I. I brought him an Americano from Starbucks, we talked, watched a movie (As Good As It Gets), did his physical therapy together, I gave him a manicure, we played Skee-Ball on my iPad, and even wrote a love note to each other on it, this is the note.
I had no idea, as we never do, that four days later, I would get a call, on another rainy Monday morning, telling me it was time to say goodbye.
The Last Lecture is one of my favorite books. The year it came out I read it and gave it to everyone on my list. This book and video helped me realize that we have a choice of what we do with our limited time on this planet.
If you have not seen the video, or read the book, I really recommend you do. While it’s a tearjerker, they are also filled with inspiration and are well worth the tears.
In this first video, Randy speaks about passion. I just love his simple yet profound wisdom. Here are some of his wise words.
Find your passion and follow it.
Don’t give up on finding your passion.
You will not find it in things or money.
Passion must come from what fuels you from the inside.
Passion is grounded in people and the relationships you have with people.
Be sure to set aside some time and check out The Last Lecture. It’s worth it, and may just be the spark you need to help move you towards living the life of your dreams, with no regrets.
Lastly, while it may sound cliche, be sure the people in your life know how much you love them. Pick up the phone and call them. You just never know when it will be your last opportunity to do so.
(shared with LOVE and dedicated to my Dad, from your passionista Nina)
“Dreams are like the paints of a great artist. Your dreams are your paints, the world is your canvas. Believing, is the brush that converts your dreams into a masterpiece of reality.”
Anonymous
This awesome TEDTalk by Sarah Kay gives us goosebumps every time we watch it. Our words, our poetry and our art can be so incredibly powerful- uplifting the minds, hearts and souls of those who hear it, read it, see it and experience it. WOW!
“If I should have a daughter, instead of Mom, she’s gonna call me Point B … ” began spoken word poet Sarah Kay, in a talk that inspired two standing ovations at TED2011. She tells the story of her metamorphosis — from a wide-eyed teenager soaking in verse at New York’s Bowery Poetry Club to a teacher connecting kids with the power of self-expression through Project V.O.I.C.E. — and gives two breathtaking performances of “B” and “Hiroshima.”
TEDTalks
(shared with LOVE from your passionistas Nina + Gordon)
