image from ordinarycourage.com
Michelle (When I Grow Up Coach) created five questions for me. Michelle is one of the sweetest individuals I’ve “virtually” met. I found her through her blog (I think) — left a comment — and have been so inspired by Michelle’s perspective on life and her always cheerful disposition. She really reached out to me and supported my little blog journey. I am so grateful to her and look forward to supporting all of her new adventures. You must check out her blog. It’s addicting, but in a good way :).
• • •
… Q & A …
1) What keeps you up at night?
I wish this were a rhetorical question!
Currently…
- Writing (much more creative at night — probably due to the fact that I’m tired and have less energy to worry about structure, judgment, etc.)
- “Aha!” Moments ALWAYS occur late at night for me.
- Lots of emails to respond to (tend to respond at night so I can craft more thoughtful responses)
- So much to explore and so little time
- Browsing Etsy (night time ritual — always the last thing I do before leaving my desk)
- Reading my favorite blogs
Hmmm…… I suppose a great question would be: what doesn’t keep me up at night!
2) What piece of advice would your present self give your future self, circa 2029? [note: responses are in no specific order and all advice would of course come with links!)
- Remain Authentic
- Write in a Journal
- Nurture Yourself
- Don’t put off goals and dreams for “Someday”
- Don’t leave anything unsaid. Tell those you love — why you love them — don’t wait for your calendar to tell you when to send a thoughtful card.
- Never stop dreaming.
- Do all things with passion.
- Remember, “Now is Everything”
- Slow Down
- Begin and end each day with a smile.
- Express gratitude daily.
- Trust Yourself.
3) If you could have dinner with anyone — who would it be and why?
Maya Angelou.
I have been inspired by Maya Angelou’s work for as long as I can remember. During my first week as a freshman at Duke, Maya Angelou spoke to my entire class, 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. The tears are filled with many emotions and memories. More than anything, I feel hopeful that I will “sing.”
… a few of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou …
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
“Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning.”
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.”
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.”
“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
“We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.”
“The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.”
“Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: ‘I’m with you kid. Let’s go.’”
… about Maya Angelou …
Oprah.Com: Dr. Angelou On the Road at Duke University
Oprah.Com: About Dr. Maya Angelou
… final thoughts …
How incredible for one person to have such an impact on so many lives. It’s an impact that goes too often 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 that 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.
4) What is your best character trait?
Authentic Passion.
When I become passionate about something, I am able to utilize that passion to harness the energy to overcome tremendous hurdles and obstacles. I move forward — very focused on what I want to accomplish. While it is my “best” trait, it also comes at a cost. I don’t pick and choose my passions. They have just fallen into my life and at times (such as now), I am doing many things that I am passionate about — which means I do far too much. Even though I *know* this, I can’t seem to balance it out. I suppose it has to do with my realization that -today- is my focus — not tomorrow or the next day. I fear putting things off because I know too well the reality of life. I want to know that I did everything I could to plant a powerful, positive seed that can grow beyond my time.
5) What’s your favorite TV show of all time?
Gilmore Girls!
• • •
…. Final Note ….
Again, I am inspired by the incredible Brené Brown. You must read her post: have hope, then spread it around. The post has a video at the bottom of it. It may be my favorite video of all time :). Be sure to watch the video at the end and listen to the song that accompanies it!!
…. Thank You ….
Michelle, thank you for these wonderful thought-provoking questions. And thank you to everyone who reads this little blog. I am so grateful for the tremendous support :). I always look forward to writing a new post and reading your comments.
• • • LETS HAVE SOME FUN • • •
Lets continue the blog Q & A!! Read the “Interview Rules” below!!
THE INTERVIEW RULES
* leave me a comment saying: “interview me”
* all comments will be published
* I will e-mail you five questions of my choice
* you can then answer the questions on your blog {with a link back to my blog}
* you should also post these rules, along with an offer to interview anyone else who e-mails you wanting to be interviewed
* anyone who asks to be interviewed should be sent 5 questions to answer on their blog
* it would be nice if the questions were individualized for each blogger
* Note (Carolyn’s Addition to Interview Rules): If you don’t have a blog or would rather keep your responses more private, feel free to respond to your questions directly on my blog or keep them to yourselves :).
“Beautiful Ripple Effect” of this fun blog project:
Danielle LaPorte of White Hot Truth & Carrie + Danielle sent questions to:
Michelle of When I Grow Up sent questions to:
Carolyn of A Beautiful Ripple Effect
FUN! FUN! FUN! Workshops can be all info with very little play. However, this workshop provided incredible content delivered in fun and creative ways (ex. host Pierre Francois Frederic and his blue pony!).
