From the series: Life on Dog Hill
If you’ve been following my blog, you already know that I began the Marc and Angel Hack quest to answer 95 questions about myself with the sole purpose of creating a bio, so to speak, through which my children could come to know me better.
I’ve chunked the 95 questions into 20-question increments and have now completed 80. It’s been an interesting process to say the least.
Most of the questions have been easy for me to answer, but every once in a while I would stall and have to step back and think long and hard to find the right answer. That exercise of reflection is what Marc and Angel intended all the while. The best part, however, has been my inspiration to write special messages to my kids — quotes especially created for them out of my life learnings. To be honest, I don’t know if my kids will appreciate my effort anytime soon; but, it’s here waiting for them when they’re ready.
Ready for the next 20? Let’s do it!
1. What are you glad you quit?
Believing that my life was the result of victimization and circumstance.
Message to my kids: The life you live is the life you choose. You are never helpless when it comes to choice.
2. What do you need to spend more time doing?
Writing! If you only knew the words and stories floating 24/7 in my head!
Message to my kids: There’s a difference between needs and wants. Needs are not negotiable.
3. What are you naturally good at?
Connecting with people in a meaningful way. I’m also intuitive. I’ve used both gifts in the business world with great results, but not all leaders appreciate such gifts. Now I use my natural gifts to tap into the characters in my books or my clients when I want to inspire them to further greatness!
Message to my kids: Don’t worry about what you’re not good at; rather, evolve your natural skills even further.
4. What have you been counting or keeping track of recently?
I can’t lie…the sales of my book Truth Runs Deep. It amazes me that eBooks outsell print 50 to 1.
Message to my kids: One thing that can’t be measured is a mother’s love. It’s just that big.
5. What has the little voice inside your head been saying lately?
“You’ve got this!”
Message to my kids: The recording that plays in your head influences your heart. Make sure it’s one that serves you!
6. What’s something you should always be careful with?
Playful quips and my expectation that people really get me. A couple of days ago I made a playful comment to a friend and I think it hurt his feelings. I intended the quip to be endearing — rather like sibling rivalry — but I don’t think he took it that way.
Message to my kids: Bridges take too long to construct and require far too much resource to burn. You can always avoid them if you can’t appreciate them.
7. What should always be taken seriously?
Nature and parenting. In both cases, there’s more there than we’ll ever know.
Message to my kids: When your parents say, “…and I mean it,” you better believe it!
8. What should never be taken seriously?
Naysayers, because anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
Message to my kids: If you take yourself too seriously, no one else will be able to take you seriously at all.
9. What are three things you can’t get enough of?
Energy, my children laughing happily, and (I can’t tell a lie…) the sales of my book Truth Runs Deep!
Message to my kids: When you can’t get enough of what you really want, it’s time to look at what’s holding you back.
10. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
I’d never wear a bra, but that would really embarrass my husband and sons — especially in public.
Message to my kids: So long as you are conscientious, self-reliant, kind and loving, the rest really doesn’t matter.
11. What fascinates you?
Anything that can’t be explained… the brain, quantum physics, metaphysics and the possibility that our perceived reality of the physical world could actually be nonphysical! Oh! And this absolutely incredible water experiment by Masaru Emoto (thank you, Dannibeth).
Message to my kids: Fascination is an invitation to explore and learn.
12. What’s the difference between being alive and truly living?
If you are not living as your authentic self then you are alive but not truly living. Who are you really? Can you be that YOU every day?
Message to my kids: The only acceptance you should seek is from yourself.
13. What’s something you would do every day if you could?
Spend time with my husband and children, eat great food, talk and laugh and then ask someone else clean up the mess!
Message to my kids: See #9 above!
14. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
When a phenomenal, unexpected opportunity landed in my lap!
Message to my kids: Revel in the unexpected!
15. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Never trying, of course! Is there really any other way? If you need scientific proof, check out this video by Dr. Brene Brown!
Message to my kids: Life is a team effort when you surround yourself with friends and family who support your dreams.
16. What makes you feel incomplete?
Running out of energy when I really want to keep going!
Message to my kids: Only you control how you feel. Don’t like how you’re feeling? Change your thinking!
17. When did you experience a major turning point in your life?
I’ve had a few major turning points in my life. What they all have in common is “courage.” I’m grateful to know that of all the things I may not have, at least I have courage!
Message to my kids: Never be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. That’s when the adventures begin!
18. What or who do you wish you lived closer to?
I wished my mom and my sister lived closer to me and that’s different than saying I want to live closer to them!
Message to my kids: Know what you want? What’s stopping you?
19. If you had the opportunity to get a message across to a large group of people, what would your message be?
That not a single human living on this planet has it all figured out, but we each have a spark of truth within us. If we wish to see meaningful shift in the world we must approach each other with love and respect. The biggest threat to our existence is the belief that there is one right way and everything else is wrong — regardless of the topic.
Message to my kids: Being overly staunch in your beliefs doesn’t leave wriggle room for evolution of thought. What you believe today may not be what you believe in the future.
20. What’s something you know you can count on?
My husband’s love and my belief in myself–but not always in that order.
Message to my kids: Your respect and belief in yourself is the foundation on which your life is built.
As always, thanks for continuing the journey with me. The last 15 questions are coming soon! Until then, how about you? What is something you know you can count on?
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