This quote is from Christine Mason Miller’s book, Desire to Inspire!

p.s. more inspiring quotes

Related posts:

1. Desire to Inspire: A Sparkling Giveaway
2. The Why of Desire to Inspire
3. To Start Anew

The Desire to Inspire Book Launch celebration is now just over 48 hours behind me. Most of the houseguests who flew in from all over the globe have gone back home, beds are in disarray, and my dining room table still looks like it was taken over by Christmas elves on crack. There is not a single present under the tree yet, and my best friend is still here helping me wash dishes, pack orders and run errands. Traces of the celebration are everywhere, and the sense of exuberant giddiness that fueled all the weeks of planning is still with me. The night of the book launch I chose not to do a book reading or any kind of formal speech, but instead offered a brief but emotional thank you, sharing that this experience has been one of the most remarkable of my life. This book, these contributors, and every single moment of this extraordinary ride has been about many things at different times, but at its essence, just one:  JOY.

The first person to land at LAX for the festivities was Vineeta Nair, a contributor who flew in from Mumbai, India. She arrived Tuesday, and most everyone else was coming in the next day. That night, my husband and I took her out to dinner, and we had a discussion about entrepreneurship. The topic of Apple came up, and we all decided that the core of their success came from their unwavering focus on the why of what they did. Theirs was an empire built on a vision of what was possible – of presenting something to the world that the world did not yet know it would want or need or be endlessly inspired by. They did not do any test marketing; they did not take consumer polls. They created something they felt fiercely passionate about and the world was forever changed.

In any endeavor, it is easy to be clear on what I am doing, and my work is also to figure out how I will do it. But it is the why that compels me more than anything; without a solid foundation to support the motivation behind my actions – whether personally or entrepreneurially – I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed in the morning. The why is reason I do what I do, and this has always been so.

The book launch was an evening of celebration first and foremost. Held in a beautiful setting, this gathering of sixty or so guests – which included more than half of the nineteen contributors – was a living, breathing validation of the why of Desire to Inspire. That night, I only had access to all the conversations and moments that I was experiencing, but having talked to so many who were there since then, I am now developing a more well-rounded picture of the evening. And with every story I hear, with every glimpse I am given into the exchanges between my friends, I grow more confident that the intention I set at the beginning of this journey – which was to create and work and organize from a place of joy – worked. The why of Desire to Inspire was to create a substantive, meaningful exploration of all the ways one can construct a meaningful life, and to do this joyfully. Three nights ago, this why came to life, and created a tiny universe where everyone present had joy in their hearts yet still felt comfortable sharing intense stories of love and loss and walking through this world with one another.

I have known all along that I wanted this event to hold and support and encourage joy, but beyond that I was game for anything. Like always, what transpired was more beautiful than anything I could have imagined on my own, and that light will never fade – confirming that as long as I keep that why at the center of my compass, everything is good, and all is an adventure.

Christine Mason Miller is the author of Desire to Inspire: Using Creative Passion to Transform the World, available on Amazon.com and at bookstores everywhere. Follow her adventures at http://christinemasonmiller.com/.

image: liz kalloch

Related posts:

1. Desire to Inspire: A Sparkling Giveaway
2. A Turn in the Pathway
3. Living Your Vision: Christine Mason Miller

I am thrilled, honored, and humbled to announce I am on the roster of twenty contributors to Desire to Inspire:  Using Creative Passion to Transform the World by Christine Mason Miller. In Desire to Inspire, readers will be introduced to twenty extraordinary women – writers, artists and entrepreneurs – all of whom share a unique example of how they create a meaningful life and, in turn, make a positive impact on the world. The stories and examples explore the roots of their desire to inspire and how they manage to pursue their passions in the midst of all the twists and turns life has given them. In addition to a beautiful collection of quotes, stories, and anecdotes, readers are given substantive, encouraging exercises aimed at supporting their own journey towards a meaningful, mindful life. It will be available  December 20^th through Amazon and you can pre-order your copy today!

To be a part of Christine’s second book project is something I could never have imagined when I began A Beautiful Ripple Effect. The title of my blog is taken from Christine’s first book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments. This book was the catalyst for a multitude of positive changes in my life. I cannot begin to envision what the impact of this second book will be. However, I do know, it will be powerful.

To celebrate the release of her new book, Christine is generously giving away a gorgeous wall art piece to one recipient.

Giveaway Details

PRIZE: One of three wall art pieces (your choice from the three in the image above!)

TO ENTER: Comment on this post with the words “INSPIRE!”

BONUS ENTRY: Where would you put your inspiring new wall art? Answer in the comments.

LOCATION: No restrictions!

GIVEAWAY CLOSES: Sunday December 11^th at 9 PM EST

**Updated (12.12.2011): winner is… Stephanie! Stephanie, check your email for a message from me shortly :)!**

Related posts:

1. The Why of Desire to Inspire
2. A Turn in the Pathway
3. I Am Project Giveaway

The Seven Links

• Your first post
• A post you enjoyed writing the most
• A post which had a great discussion
• A post on someone else’s blog that you wish you’d written
• Your most helpful post
• A post with a title that you are proud of
• A post that you wish more people had read

My Seven Link Picks

• My First Post (published on December 18, 2008): Ordinary Sparkling Moments
• I love writing all of my posts so this one is hard! But I really enjoyed writing a post on embracing imperfection in March 2009 called An Imperfect Ten: Inspired by the Beauty of Imperfection
• I loved the long and thoughtful comments on the June 2009 post, Your Greatest Work is Ahead of You
• Breathe. (via Zen Habits) has inspired me tremendously. It is an incredible reminder to get back to the basics and to let things be easy.
• Most Helpful Post: You Don’t Have to Know
• I love this post and its title… Learning to Let Go: One Life Altering Step at a Time
• And I wish more people had read this post

Wanna play along? Leave a link to your post in the comments and help create a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration!

:: goodies ::

-> Check out Spring for new content (videos, mp3 recordings, giveaways, guest posts) each day! The site is growing like crazy and is full of unique inspiration for designing a creative and intentional life. I hope you enjoy!!

-> Have you heard about The Daily Brainstorm? I am a regular contributor and it just launched last week. It is an emporium of blog posts on a broad range of topics. Be sure to visit the site and indulge in its amazing inspiration!

image: skippy designs

Related posts:

1. Creating A Beautiful Ripple Effect – Got Tips?
2. Give & Receive: Creating A Beautiful Ripple Effect in 2010
3. A Beautiful Ripple Effect Celebration Finale

… quiet

… relaxation

… visual inspiration

… biographies

… interior design/nesting (daily obsessions: decor8 and making it lovely)

… journaling

… connection

… ease + simplicity (counting down the moments until Aby’s new online workshop, It’s About Time: How to Have More Fun and Get More Done – I talked to Aby throughout the creation of this workshop and know that it is going to exceed all expectations. No affiliate connection, just an exciting opportunity to share)

… yoga

… family

… acceptance

… decisiveness

… quotes

… photographs (addicted to a creative mint)

… giving + receiving

… chocolate chip + banana pancakes

… dance lessons with soon to be hubby

… marriage (T minus 3.5 months!)

… personal growth (my guru extraordinaire: Jennifer Lee)

… discovery sessions (i.e., magical transformation)

… sharing my imperfect journey (the little stuff as well as the bigger lessons)

… learning your stories, your little and big life moments

… lowered expectations

… doing without doing

… focus and inner quiet

… soft music

… creating in the moment

… handmade indulgences (etsy + papernstitch)

… transparency

… forgiveness

… receiving support without asking (in an ideal world, but crave support and may need to get better at the “asking” component)

… structure

… innovation

… new beginnings

… reconnecting with my online + offline friends, cheerleaders, and supporters

… celebrating ordinary sparkling moments and cherishing the friendship of my personal sparkling genie, Christine Mason Miller

I want to throw this question back to you and would love to know: what are you craving? Share your cravings, big and small (deep and/or playful) in the comments.

:: goodies to share ::

-> I recently wrote my first official guest post for one of my favorite blogs, Live Bold and Bloom. I loved the experience and hope you’ll hop on over to read my piece entitled, How to Embrace Uncertainty and Cultivate Inner Peace.

-> New videos + lots of great giveaways on Spring. July’s hot topic for discussion: self-care. Episode one went live on Tuesday! This month’s video series is our best yet. In the final episode on the topic (available the last week of July), I share a very personal story for the first time that I hope offers inspiration for others.

[image 1: calypso; image 2: a creative mint]

Related posts:

1. Tuesday Treasures: Life is a Verb
2. Create a Beautiful Ripple Effect of Inspiration: The 7 Link Challenge
3. In Between the Moments

“Most of my life,” she says, “I’ve been in search of IT. And I thought IT came inside a big box with a bow on top carefully marked and labeled and numbered. I brushed away all the ‘incidental’ discoveries and cobwebs. But now everything counts. Now I search for traces of miracles … and I find them everywhere.” – Monique Duval

In the midst of our everyday lives, there is a strong push toward doing versus being. Doing is associated with momentum and transformation – a constant sense of urgency to finish A to get to B. We fantasize and resist resting into the present moment.

“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our window today.” – Dale Carnegie

When faced with a difficult challenge, it is natural to want to run in the opposite direction. Internal resistance urges us to create an idyllic future. Yet, we often feel stuck in this yucky state, in the here and now. And we feel the void that exists deep within our soul. Our essential self wants us to be in the moment – to notice our energy, to intentionally rest into the chaos and let go of the constant berating of where we are now versus where we should be.

But remaining still and accepting the status quo feels counterintuitive.

Avoidance is a powerful mechanism for dealing with negative emotions. In some situations, avoidance is necessary; however, it shouldn’t become the conditioned coping tool for all situations with a glimmer of negativity.

When we avoid our present journey, we reinforce the belief that once this difficult period is over, we will be set free – on our way to what awaits just around the corner. I often notice myself grasping at the (false) belief that once you fail you’ve earned your ticket to the beautiful Promised Land. I hear myself saying, “I just need to get around this corner and all is well.” This thought translates into: “Once this is over, there is no looking back. I’ve crossed the finish line of the mental marathon.”

And when you do make it to the finish line, there is a momentary sense of accomplishment. You made it through!! You rest your sore body and enter “recovery mode,” excited to start anew. You glance back at the track and smile, telling yourself: Good job; now let’s celebrate!

Then, the fantasy ends.

You are alone. The finish line is quiet – no one is cheering on the sidelines. You set about to find the crowd, but realize that the darkness is beginning to creep in and nothing makes sense. The story you’ve told yourself is not based in reality. You trusted your story. Didn’t you just cross the finish line?

Yes and No.

In life, there are only beginnings – a series of sequential starting points. Some are wonderful and some are not. But we live to start over and over again. Starting what energizes us is amazing. Starting what drains us: not something we run toward. So we transform it into something with a finite finish point. But by doing this we focus solely on where we are going versus where we are now, in this moment. Without this awareness, starting over again becomes terrifying – an almost impossible feat. But it doesn’t have to be. You can choose to steer your life or let go of the wheel and lose control. If you choose to steer, you’re faced with decisions, one after another. It is within these decisions that you become who you are. You gain knowledge after each one, creating a calmer, more resilient sense of self. Metamorphosis becomes a constant rather than a finite process.

Does reality await you around the corner or fantasy? Are you setting yourself up to start or to finish?

If you’re starting to finish, what awaits you at the finish line? Challenge this belief with rational reasoning. Prepare yourself for a saga of triumphs and challenges. Think about how you can create safety nets along the way – so tripping is no longer seen as doom and gloom. Start celebrating along the road rather than waiting for the cheering crowd to greet you around the bend.

“How could I find it [happiness] again? This is the question we ask ourselves nearly every day. In the asking, we make happiness a mystery: an elusive pursuit, an incomplete project, a scientific inquiry with inconclusive results. And yet the more we search, the farther afield we stray. The more we question, the more we doubt. … Happiness is simple. Everything we do to find it is complicated.” – Karen Maezen Miller

The dark times in life cannot be erased or prevented. There is no limit to how many challenges one will face in his or her lifetime. We don’t know how many marathons exist.

You choose your role. Are you the victim in your life’s story or are you the hero?

“Oh, how I have failed! In relationships, in business, in freshman chemistry at Virginia Tech. In a multitude of places, I have failed. And I have failed for one simple reason: because I’ve tried. In any effort, failure is a possibility. And beyond any failure, there is always room to try again.

I don’t wish for any easy life. I do not walk this earth imagining how much better my life could be if only this or if only that. I have dreams I want to pursue, goals I want to accomplish, and experiences I want to enjoy, but beyond any wanting, imagining, and hoping, I also nurture a quiet space in my life for acceptance. A space where I can probe deeper into whatever might feel less than ideal and explore whether or not my initial judgments were accurate. Oftentimes what I thought might be a source of unending woe turns out to be an incredible blessing.

How often do we spend time and energy searching for, trying to find or hoping to construct some image of ‘perfect,’ some definition we have decided is the only way we can possibly find contentment? How many gifts and treasures are overlooked because our attention is fiercely focused on what is not available? When I wake up each day, I do not set out to create an existence of ‘perfect.’ I instead try to open myself up as much as possible to all the perfect moments that exist in an imperfect life.” – Christine Mason Miller

Learn along the journey, adding tools to your mental armed force. Resist the urge to steer off your course and onto another path that seems (key word: seems) free of turbulence. In the darkness, use starlight to steer through the uncharted territory. Through each experience, you’re stretching your ability to face the unexpected while still remaining in control of your vision. Life is happening right now – not somewhere around the corner. Take out your decorations and invite the cheering crowd. You’ve been through dark times and you’ll encounter them again, but why not open up the container of glitter and share where you are right now? That’s the story I choose to star in. What role do you choose for your life story?

Acknowledge where you are now versus where you should be. Be in the present moment without resistance.

Now, Begin.

Related posts:

1. The Journey
2. On Support and Gratitude
3. In Between the Moments

: : begin : :

… to create from a blank canvas
… to experience
… to take the first step
… to take bold action (“gulp!”)
… to start
… to let go
… to trust yourself

There is beauty in being a beginner.

Fresh

• New video is live on Spring! During the month of March, we are talking about one hot topic: MONEY! The first video (of four) is focused on this question: How do you trust that you can do what you love and the money will follow? And of course, new video = new giveaway. Spend a few minutes relaxing today with Spring – a video conversation with four unique perspectives!

Affirmations

• Affirmations are powerful statements/phrases that help motivate you to take a leap of faith, to trust yourself, and to begin. [Affirmations have many meanings; however, in this context, we'll use the definition above.]
  • Printable Affirmation Gift Set Freebie by Kind Over Matter
  • Create your own affirmation cards. Read: How to Use a Mirror, a Pack of Index Cards and a Pen to Change Your Life

Handmade Inspiration

• Seedling – A mini seedling sprouting from a planting pot by Do Little Design
• Dreamsetting Kit – One of many inspiring products in the 101Birdtales Shop
• Begin Necklace – Etched Silver Necklace by Lisa Hopkins
• Explore. Dream. Discover. – Print with Mark Twain Quote by Earmark

Inspiring Words

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off your bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

- Mark Twain

Give yourself permission to forge beyond the resistance and BEGIN. Today.

What will you begin today?

{image: Jennifer Morris}

Related posts:

1. For Your Inspiration: A Gift from Kind Over Matter and Spring
2. Tuesday Treasures: Serene Simplicity
3. Tuesday Treasures: Simple Beauty

For the past few weeks, I’ve been focusing on “Moving Forward.” Lost in my thoughts – relishing the quiet solitude. I’ve filled journals with realizations and “aha!” experiences; however, a major void has existed. I’ve begun to analyze too much — to try to find all of the answers to the “big life questions.”

Is it my upcoming birthday – turning 25?

Am I resisting the thought of celebration?

Questions after question.

I question my ability to live up to what I’ve accomplished in the past 10 years. Yet, at the same time, I fear falling back into that trap of living in a state of constant pressure – extreme sadness – and giving everything within me to others. I wonder how much is left within me to give to myself.

I’ve retreated to a place of creation – imagination – dreaming. This place scares me. It’s completely new to me. And I feel like I lack the *magic* ingredient to make these dreams become real. For the first time, I’m questioning my ability to turn ideas into reality. I’m comparing myself to others (rationally, I know I shouldn’t do this, but I do anyway).

It’s in between the moments that I capture this self-doubt invading my mental sanctuary.

I have come to one realization: I must believe in myself. I am the only person who can realize what I need and want. It’s okay to be uncertain. It’s not okay to devalue who I am as an individual – my potential. If I can believe in others, I better believe in myself. That is my primary responsibility.

I am human just like everyone else. I have amazing moments and heartbreaking moments. But it’s in between those moments that I’m learning the most about life.

I’m uncovering gems that will stay with me forever, even though the process is far from comfortable. But I expected this time to come – just not now. I’m growing up. I’m finding out who I am. I’m preparing for the next chapter in my life – a chapter very different from what I’ve known. I chose this road and am not steering off course. It’s worth the discomfort because I do believe in myself.

It’s this story I want to share – the 3 am thoughts that can feel so isolating – the in between moments that tell the whole story, the authentic version. It’s these hard to define pieces that are so needed to challenge ourselves to push harder on the road to uncovering our true selves.

“Letting go of an old self and the deeply-ingrained patterns embedded there is hard.  HARD.  But it is only by facing these patterns, issues, questions and fears that real growth is possible, and beyond what is hard, bright horizons await….We will always struggle.  There will always be storms.  But there will also always be days of magnificent sunshine.   And we will feel the warmth and glow of that light more deeply on our skin and in our bones the more we are willing to do the work we are called upon to do, work that just might have been waiting for us since the day we were born.” – Christine Mason Miller, Bright Horizons

Related posts:

1. Ordinary Sparkling Moments
2. Why our Darkest Moments Unveil the Beauty of Life
3. Ordinary Sparkling Moments 2011

Over the past few months, Unconventional Success has been a hot topic on A Beautiful Ripple Effect. Each post prompted unique reactions and a desire to know more. After much brainstorming, I realized that in order to “know more,” we needed to look at the journey from different perspectives. Last month, I announced this realization and the beginning of a new interview series. I could not have imagined a better person to launch this series — since it was this individual who prompted the launch of A Beautiful Ripple Effect.

Purpose of “Living Your Vision” Series: To focus on the journey – the how – of unconventional success. The series emphasizes that life is truly a verb – not solely a string of accomplishments.

Unconventional success redefines what we consider possible – it’s success that has not yet been defined by others. Essentially, it means paving a path through uncharted territory.

Christine Mason Miller is a Santa Monica based writer and artist who has been drawing, painting, creating, writing and exploring ever since she was a little girl. She began her journey as a professional artist in 1995 with the creation of Swirly, which began as a line of handmade greeting cards and evolved into an internationally recognized brand with licensees, clients and retail partners that included Target, Recycled Paper Greetings, Andrews McMeel Universal, Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Girl Scouts of America.

Christine has maintained a strong audience over the years with gallery exhibits of her mixed media work, her website and blog. In 2008 she released Ordinary Sparkling Moments: Reflections on Success and Contentment, a full color self-published book that combines her mixed media work and writing, all aimed at exploring the joys of finding wisdom in everyday life.  Her writing has been featured in Skirt! Magazine, The Wish Studio Blog, and This Ordinary Day, and she is is a member of the Squam Art Workshops teaching roster.  She was the keynote speaker at Virginia Tech’s Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Conference in June 2009 and her newly released line of inspirational wall art – licensed to Demdaco, Inc. – is off to a strong start, with new designs for a 2010 release already underway.

Christine’s art and writing gives viewers a peek into a variety of details from her life, including travels around the globe and memories shared with her grandma. Using materials as varied as acrylic paints, ink, coffee, mannequins, vintage photographs and other ephemera, Christine’s creations are full of color, texture and hidden stories.

• How are you living your vision?
  • It is in the smaller details – being able to live in Los Angeles without a car, having writing deadlines on my calendar, creating a family with my husband.

• When working on an exciting project (one that you are passionate about), how do you quiet your thoughts and shift your mind-set in order to do “other” things?
  • It is sometimes challenging; if I lived alone I would likely be a workaholic.  But with a home, a husband and a busy social life, there are always plenty of other things that need to get done (and that I enjoy doing), so those other facets of my life help keep me balanced.

• What are three to five lessons you have learned during your personal journey?
  • Trust my gut.
  • Be true to my word.
  • Do my best.
  • Remember what really matters.
  • Stay in the present.

• How do you acknowledge and celebrate personal success?
  • With my husband, family and friends – very often with champagne!

• What is an “ordinary sparkling moment?”
  • I actually had a few moments this morning when I saw clearly that is what I was experiencing.  My husband and I had just come downstairs – me in my yoga pants, he in his suit for work.  He was at our kitchen table reading the paper while I was making coffee and emptying the dishwasher.  We weren’t talking much, just doing what we do every single morning.  I loved recognizing that this was our routine, this was how we were able to begin our day everyday:  Together, with coffee, breakfast, our newspapers and the sun streaming through our windows.

• What are your unfiltered thoughts on “failure?”
  • I’ve had plenty of failures, and my perspective of them has evolved into something like this:  First of all, when I think of a new idea, project or venture, the first place my mind goes is to what it would look like if that idea succeeded.  Even though I’ve failed plenty, I go immediately towards success as a possible outcome, because I have also learned that sometimes it is wise to be careful about what I wish for.  We attach these labels to success and failure – one is good and the other is bad – but in fact both have positive and negative elements, and both have the potential to help us grow, evolve and create a more meaningful, authentic life.
  • When I think about failure, I try not to attach a label to it.  If I try something and it doesn’t work, that is not a reflection on my character, integrity or talent.  It is simply one step along my journey, and my job in those situations is to glean whatever lessons they have to offer and take them with me on my next endeavor.

• What is an inspirational tip you would like to share with readers?
  • Your creative idea, dream, longing?  Do it!  Your 85-year old self will be so happy you went for it.

- – - – -

Thank you so much, Christine, for opening up your heart and sharing your personal thoughts on A Beautiful Ripple Effect!

The first “Living Your Vision” interview wouldn’t be complete without an incredible giveaway! One lucky reader will receive a limited edition signed hardcover of Ordinary Sparkling Moments. Enter the giveaway by responding to Christine’s question below in the comments section!

Respond by Tuesday December 15th at 11:59 pm EST. Recipient will be chosen via random.org and announced on Wednesday December 16th.

What does your 85-year old self want you to do? Try? Experience? See?

– Updated 12.16.09 –

Congratulations to Rachel — the recipient of the Limited Edition Signed Hardcover of Ordinary Sparkling Moments!!

Related posts:

1. Living Your Vision: Carrie McCarthy
2. Living Your Vision: Leana May
3. Day Three of the Giveaway Celebration Event

We all have journeys into uncharted territories that we must take alone. But I have learned we aren’t necessarily alone. No matter how dark the moment, brave souls have already walked the same path. The purpose of this book is to shine a light on the path each of us takes.” – me, in Perseverance

Growing up, I watched in awe as my parents lived passionately every single day, using their passion to work tirelessly for what they believed in. They were always learning new things about the world and themselves. Most importantly, they never gave up when things got tough. My parents were the first to demonstrate to me that there is no one way road to success.

Individuals who have found unconventional paths to success and redefined what it takes to be successful have had a profound impact on my ability to create and live an unconventional life – defined primarily by passion. The road has never been easy; yet, giving up has never been an option.

The purpose of this post is to redefine what you recognize as the realm of the possible. To do this, I will introduce you to individuals I consider to be modern-day pioneers. Hopefully, they will open your eyes to an entire world of possibilities and motivate you to create your own unconventional success, to overcome feeling intimidated by the daunting task of pursuing a personal dream.

I wrote down the names of these individuals long before the idea for this post took its final shape since each of them have helped me realize that there is indeed light on the path I am taking—even though it often feels scary and lonely. I look to these individuals for courage and inspiration on a regular basis. I hope that you find inspiration through these individuals as well.

In this post, I will discuss six individuals organized within three different categories.

{It may look like a lot of information to read, so take a deep breathe and read at your own pace. Check out links during downtime – for inspiration and motivation!}

-> Redefining Change: From Curing Cancer to Eradicating Child Poverty

Josh Sommer

I met Josh while I was an undergraduate at Duke University. After I met him and his mom, Simone Sommer, my life has never been the same. Before meeting for the first time at dinner, I knew very little about Josh and expected a quick meal, nice conversation, and a definite conclusion. Of course, fate had different plans that night. Clearly, Josh and I were united for a much greater purpose. Ultimately, Josh would become one of my closest friends. What follows is a short bio to give you a better understanding of why Josh redefines what is possible and inspires me to extend past the limits of my comfort zone. For those who received an advanced release copy of Perseverance, you’ll be surprised to notice an addition to the book: the first page of the book has been changed; it is written by Josh Sommer.

Josh Sommer is the executive director of the Chordoma Foundation, an organization he co-founded with his mother, Dr. Simone Sommer, after he was diagnosed with a clival chordoma in 2006. Josh believes that patients should play an active role in facilitating treatments for their own conditions, and that the patients themselves represent a largely untapped source of funding, energy, and know-how in the treatment development process.

After finishing his junior year in May 2008, Josh was awarded a two-year Echoing Green fellowship for social entrepreneurs. Subsequently, he took a leave of absence from Duke to lead the Chordoma Foundation along with his mom. To complement his work for the foundation, Josh has joined Duke’s Program on Global Health and Technology Access as a Fellow in Strategic Philanthropy and Health. Further, Josh continues to participate in research in Dr. Kelley’s lab and helps coordinate collaborations with a network of chordoma researchers at other institutions worldwide.

You can read this article/watch the video clip for a quick overview; I’m sure he’ll leave you speechless. A link to the overview of Josh’s story is here.

Follow Josh on Twitter!

Marian Wright Edelman

At my sister’s graduation from the University of Miami, Marian Wright Edelman gave the keynote speech. It was the first time I had ever heard her life story. From her biography:

Mrs. Edelman, a graduate of Spelman College and Yale Law School, began her career in the mid-60s when, as the first black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar, she directed the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund office in Jackson, Mississippi. In l968, she moved to Washington, D.C., as counsel for the Poor People’s Campaign that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. began organizing before his death. She founded the Washington Research Project, a public interest law firm and the parent body of the Children’s Defense Fund. For two years, she served as the Director of the Center for Law and Education at Harvard University and in 1973 began CDF.

I found the speech awe-inspiring, and it left me—as it did most of the audience—speechless. You can watch online the speech Mrs. Edelman gave at Whittier College, and you can read a short excerpt from the speech here. Additionally, you can read Mrs. Edelman’s “Child Watch” column every Monday on the Huffington Post.

-> Trailblazers in Online Unconventional Success: From the Art of Nonconformity to Zen Habits

Chris Guillebeau

I “met” Chris Guillebeau via twitter and realized immediately that I had no choice but to check out what he was doing. How could I not? After all, the name of his Web site, and the common thread that links together his incredible ventures is The Art of Non-Conformity. Once there, I read the title to his free PDF: “A Brief Guide to World Domination.” I have to admit that I was more than a bit wary at first. The concept of “World Domination” is indeed somewhat lofty—but then I read the guide. Through his writing, Chris has redefined world domination and serves as a personal example of someone who walks the talk. Surprisingly, his manifesto has been read by more than 100,000 people in 60 countries. Talk about world domination!

The essence of Chris’ philosophy on World Domination:

Quoted from Chris’s site:

(1) You don’t have to live your life the way other people expect you to.

(2) You can do good things for yourself and help other people at the same time.

(3) There is usually more than one way to accomplish something.

(4) If you don’t decide for yourself what you want to get out of life, someone else will probably end up deciding for you.

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Leo Babauta

Leo Babauta is the author of a recently published, best-selling book, “The Power of Less,” and the wildly popular blog, “Zen Habits,” which was named a top 25 blog by Time Magazine and has more than 125,000 unique subscribers.

Leo has become incredibly successful through his authenticity, creativity, and a lot of hard work. He wasn’t an overnight success and talks openly on his blog about personal issues, such as exercise and living frugally. It’s very easy to relate to Leo and his strong, thought-provoking posts. He places great value in the quality of his posts and doesn’t sacrifice quality for quantity. The blog’s design also reflects his strong belief in the power of less: the blog is dedicated primarily to content and saves room for just one ad. Nor has Leo sacrificed his personal values for professional success—something most people similarly affected struggle with on a regular basis. His most recent publication is sure to be read by most of the online community: “The Essential Motivation Handbook,” which is a collaboration between Leo and Eric Hamm of the blog, “Motivate Thyself.”

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-> Changing Lives One Word at a Time: From Creating A Beautiful Ripple Effect to the Power of One

Christine Mason Miller

In December 2008, I opened a free account on Wordpress to begin a personal blog. At the time, I had just received my copy of Christine Mason Miller’s book, “Ordinary Sparkling Moments” and had read a few passages before I felt compelled to begin writing. This was a huge step for me, and it marked a passage in my life. I was going through a difficult period at the time, and this book literally became the catalyst for changing my life, embracing my difficulties, and knowing that I would emerge stronger because of the experience. My first post, written on December 18, 2008, is entitled: Ordinary Sparkling Moments. I wrote the post, clicked submit, and began my personal blog journey. In fact, the title of my blog, A Beautiful Ripple Effect, is taken from Christine’s book, and captures the purpose of this blog as well as this new series of posts on unconventional success and redefining what is possible.

When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate, meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world, creating a beautiful ripple effect of inspiration. When one person follows a dream, tries something new or takes a daring leap, everyone nearby feels that energy, and before too long they are making their own daring leaps and inspiring yet another circle.”
- Christine Mason Miller

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Maya Angelou

I have been a fan of Maya Angelou’s work since I began reading it in middle school. Still, it wasn’t until I entered Duke that Maya Angelou made a profound impact on my life through the power of her presence and words. I wrote about Maya Angelou in February in response to the following question posed by Michelle Ward: If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?

Maya Angelou. Read “why” below.

During my first week as a freshman at Duke, Maya Angelou spoke to my entire class, the Class of 2007. I was very close to the stage and could literally feel every single word she spoke. Every word had intention. I remember thinking to myself, one day… I want to have that impact on others. Her words — at that moment in my life — left a mark that set me on a path… a path that I wouldn’t even understand until years later. She was living and breathing each moment in and paying attention to the smallest details, such as eye contact and speech. She filled Duke’s Chapel with more energy than I ever experienced on other occasions. Just Maya Angelou alone on stage. She lit the spark inside of me — the little whisper that said… Wake Up! I heard her speak to each incoming freshman class until I graduated in 2007.

Today, when I listen to Maya Angelou speak, my eyes fill with tears, and those tears are filled with myriad emotions and memories. More than anything, I feel hopeful that I too will “sing.”

How incredible for one person to have such an impact on so many lives. It’s an impact that all too often goes unrecognized because it becomes so deeply rooted within each individual touched. I had to untangle the details to reveal the big picture and realize the etching Dr. Angelou created in my soul. It feels as if it’s always been there. But it hasn’t. Maya Angelou’s words remain with me — and often whisper in my thoughts to do that thing called “living” — even when the skies are filled with clouds and my heart feels heavy. I hear the powerful voice and remember that now — this moment (not the next moment) — is absolutely everything.

Future Directions

In my next post, I will focus on four more individuals. Then, we’ll look at how you can utilize the three essential ingredients with the lessons learned from the 10 pioneers featured. We’ll start thinking about the “what” – what do you want to create, what are your dreams? I’ll begin to weave in a bit of my personal story as well. If you have any specific questions, please let me know in the comments and I’ll try to address them!

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Related posts:

1. 10 Inspirational People Who Have Redefined the Road to Success (Part Two)
2. 3 Essential Ingredients for Creating Unconventional Success
3. Choosing a Different Road