I do lots of writing, not just for my blog but also for books, magazines and preparing for my seminars and workshops. The truth is sometimes it's hard to be creative, inspirational, insightful and original. There's so much amazing information, inspiration and education flying around in all sorts of forms that occasionally, it's a real challenge to write something that I'm genuinely happy with... especially when I'm on a dead-line. For my magazine articles I have mandatory deadlines; when the work absolutely has to be emailed to my editors. And for my blog, I have self-imposed dead-lines.
Because my life is crazy (fun but crazy), I usually don't start writing my blog until about 10pm. That's after the phones have (nearly) stopped, the doors on my business have closed, dinner's been had and I've done some reading. Sometimes I sit down at my computer and the only thing floating around my tired little brain is a request from my body for sleep. Deadlines can stifle that creative flow. Tiredness can too. And so can stress.
Today is not such a day. Today I had an appointment with one of the most inspirational people I've ever met. And I've met plenty. Today inspiration walked through my door and I instantly knew what I would write about tonight.
Before Christmas I received a phone call from a woman who saw me on 9AM (a TV show I do some stuff on). She explained to me that she has significant health issues (the understatement of the century) and that nobody was prepared to help her with an exercise program because she was too high-risk.
She sounded interesting and we made a time (today) when we would meet.
In a thousand words (or less) I can't do justice to Lee's story but in brief, I have never met a person who has gone through so much emotional, psychological and physical pain for such an extended period of time and who has come out the other side with an attitude which is almost impossible to comprehend.
Her life and her life-experiences are so dramatic, so extreme and so profound that I sat listening to her with tears in my eyes (and we all know what an Alpha-Male I am!). I have encouraged her to write a book to share her story. Apart from the fact that she has had six different types of cancer and been told numerous times she has three months to live, she has also had chronic back pain for years, had one of her children die and has experienced more abuse and personal trauma through a range of almost unbelievable situations and circumstances than ten people should ever have to endure in a lifetime.
It's amazing how some people can teach you a lot about yourself and your life without even talking about you or knowing anything (specific) about you.
This is what Lee taught me without even knowing it:
1. Attitude is a choice.... always.
2. We all make things harder than they need to be.
3. Human beings are incredibly capable, resilient and strong when they have to be.
4. We major on minors.... a lot.
5. When we have to survive, we'll find a way. When we have no choice, we just get it done... we don't think, rationalise, complain or procrastinate because we don't have the time. We just do.
6. Being told you have three months to live is a quick way to discover what your real values and priorities are.... (pity some people have to get sick before they start putting things into perspective).
7. Sometimes it's good to laugh, even when there's no reason to do so. Sometimes it's good not to complain, even when there is a reason to do so.
8. Sometimes, the only person you can rely on is you.
9. 'Experts' don't always know. Sometimes the human spirit is more relevant than 'test results'.
10. If you have the best attitude in the worst situation, you have a chance. If you have the worst attitude in the best situation, you're doomed.
I've gotta say, I have one of the coolest jobs on earth; every morning I get up and I'm excited about what the day will bring. I love what I do and over the years I have met some incredibly successful, gifted and talented people. I have worked with Olympians, celebrities, business moguls and professional sporting clubs... but I've never met anyone who has inspired me so profoundly or who has taught me so much, in so little time, without even knowing it. Lee came to me for insight and direction but I was the student. There's some irony.
When I first met her I couldn't but help comment on a significant tattoo on her upper arm and some pink streaks through her blonde hair; not what I expected from the frail(!) articulate, cancer patient I had spoken with on the phone.
"What's with the tattoo and the rock star hair", I asked. "I got the tattoo last year." "I told everyone, I might be dying but I don't want to look like I am." "I didn't have a picture of all of my kids together (remembering that one had passed away), so I got Shorty (the tattoo guy) to put them all on my arm so they're always with me."
"Works for me, Lee."
About the Author
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Is your MySpace Profile a steaming pile of crap?
Are you new to MySpace or having problems getting started? Don't know what HTML is or couldn't be bothered learning? Perhaps you've made a start but your profile looks like a bomb has hit it? Keep reading - there's a good chance that you fit into one of these categories:
The Complete MySpace Tard - This person have no idea about how to edit the layout or what HTML is. Someone else opened the browser for you so you could "get onto the internet thingy". You stumbled through the account creation process and experienced a misplaced sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you uploaded a photo of yourself to your profile.
The MySpace Novice - You've already set up an account and spent a few hours drafting information about you that only registered sex offenders are going to read. You have managed to get a few pictures of yourself online. You have updated your profile layout and posted your "emo" suicide note for all your new 'friends' to read.
The Color-blind who have learnt HTML- You know a little bit about HTML. You have struggled through the horrifying MySpace control panel to do everything listed above. You have created your own layout but for some reason you've chosen eye searing colors and a blinking tiled background which means you have to highlight everything in order to read it.
If this sounds familiar then YOU NEED HELP (or shall I say a little guidance). Follow these simple steps to ensure that your MySpace Profile isn't as embarrassing as your first sexual encounter.
1. Find a good Free Myspace Layout. The good news is 90% of all MySpace Profiles look awful so you can easily stand out in the crowd.
Firstly, the content on your page shouldn't take a backseat to the layout, especially if you want people to be able to read all the stuff that absolutely nobody gives a shit about. You want your friends to be able see the last book you read - you don't want to give them retinal cancer with your flashing purple background. Luckily it is easy to find a nice looking layout - On Profilepitstop.com Free MySpace Layouts, you can even add the code straight to your page so even special people should be able to do it. Find a Profile that you like, enter your login details and hit upload. Easy.
2. Create some nice looking text to welcome your visitors. Nothing says "Hello, look at me I exist" better then some flashy text. With Profilepitstop.com Glitter Text Generator, you can create some unique text to welcome people to your page. Try and use colors that work with your layout and think of something interesting to write. If you can't think of anything, try spelling your own name. Grab the code, add it the top of the About Me Section and click on update all settings.
3. Add something funny so people know how funny you are. A step in creating your profile which is completely optional, but it's a lot of fun. Use Profilepitstop.com Flashpix Generator to make your own text pictures that you can easily add to your profile. There are a few different options to choose from: tattoo your name on a stomach, create your own fortune cookies or put your favorite poo joke on a Mug of Tea. Copy the Code, put it wherever you want to appear on your profile and you're done.
4. Make your own MP3 player. Most Myspace profiles have auto-playing music that inevitably starts by surprise at maximum volume, and it's usually music that you could dump into the "truck drivers in love" genre. The default Myspace player also stinks because you only get to put one track on it. Get your mp3 player from Profilepitstop.com MP3 Players. NOTE: If your taste in music stinks, you should probably skip this section.
There are few different choices - The Tape Player is a popular choice. Creating your own Mix Tape has never been easier. Simply use the search engine to find as many tracks as you like, add them to the list. Give your player a name and then you can add the code automatically to any section of your Myspace Profile. Very cool and it's so simple your pet Labrador could do it.
5. Time to show off. Now that you've got your profile looking the goods, it's time to impress your new friends. The best way to do this is grab some funny pictures and post them as comments on other profiles. It's as simple as grabbing the code, clicking "add comment" and pasting it on your friend's site. I'm not sure why people are hell bent on pasting funny pics but it seems to be the done thing.
Follow these 5 simple steps (in just under an hour) and your Trojan horse should be complete. You can now add and meet new friends from all over the world who will immediately think that you are much cooler than they are.
For more MySpace news and articles including MySpace codes, mp3 players, layouts and graphics, please visit www.ProfilePitstop.com.
About the Author
John McCann is the Editor for ProfilePitstop.com - the best Myspace Resource Site on the Web. You can read more of his articles and the latest Myspace news at the ProfilePitstop.com's Myspace Blog.
The Complete MySpace Tard - This person have no idea about how to edit the layout or what HTML is. Someone else opened the browser for you so you could "get onto the internet thingy". You stumbled through the account creation process and experienced a misplaced sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when you uploaded a photo of yourself to your profile.
The MySpace Novice - You've already set up an account and spent a few hours drafting information about you that only registered sex offenders are going to read. You have managed to get a few pictures of yourself online. You have updated your profile layout and posted your "emo" suicide note for all your new 'friends' to read.
The Color-blind who have learnt HTML- You know a little bit about HTML. You have struggled through the horrifying MySpace control panel to do everything listed above. You have created your own layout but for some reason you've chosen eye searing colors and a blinking tiled background which means you have to highlight everything in order to read it.
If this sounds familiar then YOU NEED HELP (or shall I say a little guidance). Follow these simple steps to ensure that your MySpace Profile isn't as embarrassing as your first sexual encounter.
1. Find a good Free Myspace Layout. The good news is 90% of all MySpace Profiles look awful so you can easily stand out in the crowd.
Firstly, the content on your page shouldn't take a backseat to the layout, especially if you want people to be able to read all the stuff that absolutely nobody gives a shit about. You want your friends to be able see the last book you read - you don't want to give them retinal cancer with your flashing purple background. Luckily it is easy to find a nice looking layout - On Profilepitstop.com Free MySpace Layouts, you can even add the code straight to your page so even special people should be able to do it. Find a Profile that you like, enter your login details and hit upload. Easy.
2. Create some nice looking text to welcome your visitors. Nothing says "Hello, look at me I exist" better then some flashy text. With Profilepitstop.com Glitter Text Generator, you can create some unique text to welcome people to your page. Try and use colors that work with your layout and think of something interesting to write. If you can't think of anything, try spelling your own name. Grab the code, add it the top of the About Me Section and click on update all settings.
3. Add something funny so people know how funny you are. A step in creating your profile which is completely optional, but it's a lot of fun. Use Profilepitstop.com Flashpix Generator to make your own text pictures that you can easily add to your profile. There are a few different options to choose from: tattoo your name on a stomach, create your own fortune cookies or put your favorite poo joke on a Mug of Tea. Copy the Code, put it wherever you want to appear on your profile and you're done.
4. Make your own MP3 player. Most Myspace profiles have auto-playing music that inevitably starts by surprise at maximum volume, and it's usually music that you could dump into the "truck drivers in love" genre. The default Myspace player also stinks because you only get to put one track on it. Get your mp3 player from Profilepitstop.com MP3 Players. NOTE: If your taste in music stinks, you should probably skip this section.
There are few different choices - The Tape Player is a popular choice. Creating your own Mix Tape has never been easier. Simply use the search engine to find as many tracks as you like, add them to the list. Give your player a name and then you can add the code automatically to any section of your Myspace Profile. Very cool and it's so simple your pet Labrador could do it.
5. Time to show off. Now that you've got your profile looking the goods, it's time to impress your new friends. The best way to do this is grab some funny pictures and post them as comments on other profiles. It's as simple as grabbing the code, clicking "add comment" and pasting it on your friend's site. I'm not sure why people are hell bent on pasting funny pics but it seems to be the done thing.
Follow these 5 simple steps (in just under an hour) and your Trojan horse should be complete. You can now add and meet new friends from all over the world who will immediately think that you are much cooler than they are.
For more MySpace news and articles including MySpace codes, mp3 players, layouts and graphics, please visit www.ProfilePitstop.com.
About the Author
John McCann is the Editor for ProfilePitstop.com - the best Myspace Resource Site on the Web. You can read more of his articles and the latest Myspace news at the ProfilePitstop.com's Myspace Blog.
ZARA HAT KE WEDDING...!!!
THE bride resplendant in red and gold, the groom sober in a cream sherwani. Shehnai tunes at the jaimala, and the reception at the swankiest hotel in town. Hasn't this wedding story been done many times till now? All those flowers at the soiree, the silks and shararas, the paneer tikka masala and gajar ka halwa _ they somehow contrive to make every marriage a repeat of the one you attended just last week.
But what about that couple who exchanged vows underwater? And those who decided to do it _ with family and friends _ on board an aircraft? Lest you forget, let's remind you of the intrepid duo who went rock-climbing and then took a breather mid-way to exchange their vows? Like them, if you are hankering for a ``zara hat ke'' wedding, then there's lots that you can do to make your W-Day special. With organisers and planners aiming to design a difference into your ceremonies, you can go in for what they call a ``theme-based'' wedding. And as far as ideas go, the sky's your limit: so go in for a skydiving event (the bride and groom exchange varmalas while leaping off even as the relatives look on), a beach wedding (smart casual's the mantra, so lots of beer, casual clothes and a salad buffet), a wine party shindig (this could be a little tough to tackle in aapnu Amdavad, but you could always move _ en family _ to a resort in a small town like Mahabaleshwar or so), a flower-based affair (think lots of gajras, fresh flower jewellery for the bride, loads of flowers at the buffet table and venue) or a fairy tale wedding (the bride and groom dressed up ``Englis-wedding style'', a huge wedding cake, lots of candles and satin bows on the backs of chairs). By now, you must be getting the idea: doing away with the traditions of yore, and setting your own.
``I quite like the idea of getting married in a different way. May be we could all take off to a beach resort in Diu and we could take the saat pheras on the beach. That would be so romantic,'' says 21-year-old Dimple Bakshi. ``But getting your family convinced to tread a different path will be really difficult. They won't budge or see the sense in this new-fangled method. But my fiance is backing me, and may be we could use the `this will keep expenses low as guests will be few' theory,'' she says with a smile.
The whole idea of a theme wedding is sticking to the theme. So if you're going for a classy do, let every thing be that way: the mehndi party, the sangeet, the cocktail, the pre-wedding dinner as well as the wedding and reception. The tone, decor, lighting, venue and clothing _ it's important that all these elements are harmonious or else your theme could look, well, a little lop-sided.
You could also provide little touches to make the wedding truly memorable. For instance, if the theme's wild and wacky, a tattoo artist to draw up designs on backs, shoulders and who-knows-where is a good idea. So's a nail artist who can provide nail art and extensions to all the women of the house and a few select guests. If it's a sari soiree, then how about someone who helps guests drape their six yards of silk in more than six different ways: traditional, Gujarati, Bengali, Maharashtrian and myriad fusion styles.
Sounds good? It will sound even better when you realise that event management firms and wedding planners are the ones who'll sit down with pen and paper to make the whole shindig happen. You just have to float your idea, and watch it come alive. ``A beach party's not for me, but I have been thinking of going in for an old-fashioned wedding. Where everything's from the 1950s: the ambience, the clothes, the hairstyles, the food. That shouldn't be too difficult, and it will be a wedding that people will talk about,'' said 30-year-old Manish Rathod, who's planning to tie the knot late next year. That's something to say cheers to! - Perfectshaadi Team Give your feedback or views for this article at articles@perfectshaadi.com
Copyright (c) 2005 Perfectshaadi.com. All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
www.perfectshaadi.com / www.shopping4shaadi.com
But what about that couple who exchanged vows underwater? And those who decided to do it _ with family and friends _ on board an aircraft? Lest you forget, let's remind you of the intrepid duo who went rock-climbing and then took a breather mid-way to exchange their vows? Like them, if you are hankering for a ``zara hat ke'' wedding, then there's lots that you can do to make your W-Day special. With organisers and planners aiming to design a difference into your ceremonies, you can go in for what they call a ``theme-based'' wedding. And as far as ideas go, the sky's your limit: so go in for a skydiving event (the bride and groom exchange varmalas while leaping off even as the relatives look on), a beach wedding (smart casual's the mantra, so lots of beer, casual clothes and a salad buffet), a wine party shindig (this could be a little tough to tackle in aapnu Amdavad, but you could always move _ en family _ to a resort in a small town like Mahabaleshwar or so), a flower-based affair (think lots of gajras, fresh flower jewellery for the bride, loads of flowers at the buffet table and venue) or a fairy tale wedding (the bride and groom dressed up ``Englis-wedding style'', a huge wedding cake, lots of candles and satin bows on the backs of chairs). By now, you must be getting the idea: doing away with the traditions of yore, and setting your own.
``I quite like the idea of getting married in a different way. May be we could all take off to a beach resort in Diu and we could take the saat pheras on the beach. That would be so romantic,'' says 21-year-old Dimple Bakshi. ``But getting your family convinced to tread a different path will be really difficult. They won't budge or see the sense in this new-fangled method. But my fiance is backing me, and may be we could use the `this will keep expenses low as guests will be few' theory,'' she says with a smile.
The whole idea of a theme wedding is sticking to the theme. So if you're going for a classy do, let every thing be that way: the mehndi party, the sangeet, the cocktail, the pre-wedding dinner as well as the wedding and reception. The tone, decor, lighting, venue and clothing _ it's important that all these elements are harmonious or else your theme could look, well, a little lop-sided.
You could also provide little touches to make the wedding truly memorable. For instance, if the theme's wild and wacky, a tattoo artist to draw up designs on backs, shoulders and who-knows-where is a good idea. So's a nail artist who can provide nail art and extensions to all the women of the house and a few select guests. If it's a sari soiree, then how about someone who helps guests drape their six yards of silk in more than six different ways: traditional, Gujarati, Bengali, Maharashtrian and myriad fusion styles.
Sounds good? It will sound even better when you realise that event management firms and wedding planners are the ones who'll sit down with pen and paper to make the whole shindig happen. You just have to float your idea, and watch it come alive. ``A beach party's not for me, but I have been thinking of going in for an old-fashioned wedding. Where everything's from the 1950s: the ambience, the clothes, the hairstyles, the food. That shouldn't be too difficult, and it will be a wedding that people will talk about,'' said 30-year-old Manish Rathod, who's planning to tie the knot late next year. That's something to say cheers to! - Perfectshaadi Team Give your feedback or views for this article at articles@perfectshaadi.com
Copyright (c) 2005 Perfectshaadi.com. All Rights Reserved.
About the Author
www.perfectshaadi.com / www.shopping4shaadi.com
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