Hello goddesses!

I’m concluding some experiences — or maybe all of them — are given for the sole purpose of learning from them.  Yesterday’s Purpose Talk interview was a classic example.  It was a golden opportunity–and didn’t turn out to be so great…  Part was technology not cooperating… There are things we cannot control.

And, there were things I could (and should) have done differently.  Instead of a shining moment, it feels like a humbling one.

Lessons learned.

If someone gives you a chance to make your own introduction, take them up on it.

My first mistake was not doing that and allowing the host to pick and choose from the bio info she’d gathered on me.  I’d provided a brief intro / bio–as instructed.  She had gathered more, though, being the good journalist she is. I would have chosen different elements of my back story to share.  Listening, it felt way too long. And our (my) attention span for listening without supporting visuals is not that long… or was that just me being overly sensitive?

In my ‘Do-over,’ I will have a bullet-pointed ‘cheat-sheet’ of back-story snippets, share a few pieces, and move on to the rest of the interview.  Other stories may come up along the way, in the process…

My second lesson: Playing to my strengths means having an interactive dialog… and I really prefer face-to-face or skype and having visuals. And monologues require visuals!

When the line went silent–technical difficulties beyond my control–it might have been better to end the interview / show–and schedule a do-over.  Trying to do an unexpected monologue — with no visuals –definitely not where I shine.  Contrast does indeed bring one more clarity…

The third lesson learned and what I would do differently, is to have a wrap-up / closing / call to action prepared.  Summary of who I am, what i was sharing today, where they can get a copy / learn more / contact me.  Another bullet-pointed card / sheet prepared ahead of time….

Gratitudes and Graces.

In case any of you thought I had it all totally together, you now know I’m here learning right along with you.  I am grateful for a sense of humor–to see the exquisite humor and irony of how lessons come my way  I’m grateful to Cindy Freeman and Purpose Talk Radio for inviting me to share a resource that empowers the spirit of women.  It wasn’t supposed to be about me talking and saying a lot of words; it was to lead listeners to A Deeper Wisdom, Patricia Lynn Reilly’s feminine-spirit-supporting Twelve Steps from a Woman’s Perspective:

The Twelve Steps from a Religious Science Perspective
Step 1: Caught in the swirl of my habits of behavior, I was not aware of the resources available
to transform them. I have reached out for support. This is a brave action on my own behalf. I
celebrate my courage.
Step 2: I have come to believe that my deepest impulse is toward health and wholeness. I am
restored to a loving and trusting relationship with myself. My vision of life flows from health
and wholeness.
Step 3: I choose to relinquish my negative habits of behavior and to replace them with lifeaffirming
ones. I cultivate my relationship with Deeper Wisdom, the part of me unharmed and
unhindered by the wounds of my experience.
Step 4: Turning a merciful eye toward myself, I inventory both my life-affirming and ineffective
behaviors.
Step 5: In the company of my circle of support and wisdom, I celebrate my life-affirming
behaviors and accept responsibility for my ineffective behaviors.
Step 6: I am entirely ready to have my injuries healed and my ineffective behaviors transformed.
Step 7: My recovery journey is orchestrated by Deeper Wisdom. In the fullness of time, healing
and transformation occur. I actively participate in this process.
Step 8: Certain that I love myself, I welcome clarity and honesty in my relationships. I
acknowledge those who were “splattered” by my ineffective behaviors. I celebrate those who
were blessed by my life-affirming behaviors.
Step 9: Having forgiven myself, I bless myself and others by making amends wherever possible
except when to do so would injure them or others.
Step 10: I turn a merciful eye toward myself and my relationships daily. I acknowledge with
gratitude the gifts and challenges of the day. I celebrate my life-affirming behaviors and take
responsibility for my ineffective behaviors.
Step 11: Through prayer and meditation I place myself in the middle of the stream of Wisdom
flowing through my life. I listen to its urgings and live in harmony with its impulses toward
health and wholeness.
Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, I carry this message to
others and practice these principles in all my affairs.
(c) 1999 Patricia Lynn Reilly , A Deeper Wisdom, www.imagineawoman.com

Blessings, and grow your greatness.  Our soul didn’t come here to hide…..  

And all these learning experiences?  Exactly what each of us needs at a given time.  – Anne