Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

I watched this speech of Steve Jobs around 2am this morning because I could not sleep. Rarely have I heard a more inspiring speech. These are words that one should listen to every morning before starting one's day and I am sure it would make a huge difference on one's decisions. This is a speech that definitely gave me that much needed kick in the butt. It made me want to stop procrastinating and finally go ahead and really get into the A to Z podcasting tutorials.

Ok, admittedly, a huge factor of why I am still lingering and haven't gotten past the first steps is that I fell into this deep black hole without seeing a reason to move on, even to live. So, if you are struggling with that, you certainly don't have the energy to learn the necessary steps on how to podcast.

A second reason for not moving forward with the tutorials is that I am awfully scared of failing again. This is a fear that paralyzes me. I love being creative, I love the possibilities offered to me by Cliff Ravenscraft and I love that I get to be part of this special class; but now that it is getting serious, some part of me is blocked. I almost feel like I need someone to sit next to me holding my hand while I go through every single step or tutorial. I will work through those issues and I will *try* very hard to stay confident.

After a wonderful weekend in Germany (only disturbed by my brother on Saturday night and Sunday morning), a fun day at the office with my husband, I feel like I have the necessary "drive" to continue with my work.

Now, go and watch this video! Go, go, go! ;)

YouTube - Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Podcasting A to Z May Course

I am so very thrilled to start the Podcasting A to Z Course held by Cliff Ravenscraft.
I was just participating in the Opening Session and I am beyond excited for what lies ahead.
This project is exactly what I need now. It will give me purpose, distraction and fulfillment.
I will be able to be creative again and FINALLY start working on my dream of making myself known in the online world, so that one day I can have a job in social media.
And the best thing is that I get to learn from the very best teacher when it comes to podcasting and social media. 
It won't be easy juggling my therapies and this project, but I will make it work and I am certain that it will be nothing but a blast. Just thinking about what I will learn makes my head spin with excitement and anticipation. 


Let the Course start... 

If I had know in 2007 how far I would go with gspn.tv, I would have never believed it. 

Amy - We love you

Today, I was going to write about the fact that today is the day that will decide whether I can stay at the clinic for 4 more weeks or whether I will have to leave immediately.

However, this seems so very insignificant compared to the news I have heard about my fellow gspn.tv member and long lasting friend, Amy Wright. Amy has been suffering from Ulcerative Colitis for 20 years and has been diagnosed with cancer only a short time ago. Throughout this time, I have never heard Amy complain or quarrel with her fate. Far from it! Here is what she wrote on her facebook page:

I am still speechless and in awe of Amy's courage, her optimism and her grace in dealing with this unfathomable situation. Her attitude is more than inspiring and the strength she has shown over the last few weeks is remarkable. Amy is an incredible person and I am blessed to have gotten to know her.  

She was there from the very beginning, always sending me notes of encouragement, giving me perspective, making me laugh, she always had a kind word and reached out to me numerous times.

I am having a hard time finding the right words. So, instead I would like to suggest you read the posts of two wonderful bloggers who have the special gift to always find the right way of expressing what most people are feeling; Cliff Ravenscraft and AlisonL.

http://gspn.tv/AmyWright

http://300sixtyfive.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-316-saying-goodbye-one.html
(WARNING: reading this blog will definitely make you cry, I was sobbing for a good half hour...)

I would like to ask you to please pray for Amy and her family and loved ones.

Here is a link to Amy's facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/QueenAmy83

Amy, thank you for being such a blessing! You are loved!

More than I deserve!

Today, I received a package from the US that brightened my day.
My very good friends Stephanie and Cliff from gspn.tv sent me a signed copy of Candace Cameron Bure's book "Reshaping It All". Cliff and Stephanie recently did an interview with the author for Family From the Heart, one of their many podcasts. Candace shared how she struggled with food and how she gained a healthy perspective, ultimately overcoming her disorder.
I knew that they would send me this book, because they mentioned it during the interview, but I still teared up - what else, right? ;) - when I opened the package. Having friends who care so deeply about me, is still unfathomable to me and it gives me more strenght and solace than I can express.
Cliff and Stephanie are not the only ones who pray for me, think of me, send me short notes and emails. Every single one of those messages reminds me of how blessed I am and they give me the energy to continue the path to health.
This army of friends and family cheering for me serves as a means of holding me accountable, of not letting me give up even when I feel like I am too scared or too exhausted to take the next step.

And that is truly invaluable.

I cannot wait to dive into this book. 

 THANK YOU, Stephanie and Cliff!

Here is a link to the interview:

http://gspn.tv/146-family-from-the-heart-candace-cameron-bure-interview/

Learning from a friend

I just listened to last week`s episode of Balanced Living Weekly (http://gspn.tv/057-balanced-living-weekly-cruising-chickens-parsnips-and-much-more/). Cliff Ravenscraft shares in this podcast episode some memories of his recent cruise, his weight gain and how he enjoyed every minute of it, not once feeling guilty about eating too much.

This reminded me of how I took our bathroom scale with me on vacation when I was about 10 or 11 years old. Now, who does that at this age? Isn't that just crazy? I remember what a nightmare this vaccation was for the whole family. I wasn't just ruining our trip to the South of France for myself, I was making it almost impossible for my parents or my sister to have an enjoyable, relaxing time.
I was so concerned about my weight that a regular meal was impossible and dining out was a nightmare. I remember the fights I fought with myself, the yearning for a cup of ice-cream when everybody else was enjoying one, the wish to just eat what everbody else was eating. But I couldn`t. I just could not lose control.

So, even at the age of about 10, this issue did not leave my mind for a single minute.

I am so very glad that Cliff did what he deserves to do: he took a break from his everyday life and just took it easy. After all, this is what vacation is for. This is the whole reason for going away. And once you come back home, you are refreshed and fully energized, ready to have a bit more control and discipline about every asepct of your life again.

Who cares about a few more pounds if you spent a wonderful time with your family or friends? (In fact, writing this makes me feel so stupid because it IS so very trivial..) People and realtionships are what counts in life, not your weight. I regret how many valuable hours, days and weeks I have lost because of the preoccupation with food and I pray that I will be able to make up for all of it once I am healthy.

I hope that very soon I will be able to adopt Cliff`s mindset, because he figured out what really matters in life.  

P.S. I have been a gspn.tv Plus Member since 2008 (or was 2007?) and I have enjoyed every minute of their fantastic podcasts. If you haven`t done so yet (which I doubt), you should check them out:

http://www.gspn.tv/