Volume 2 Issue 2 January 2009 In This Issue: Message from Marlene The Drama Story Want to Write a Book? Revealing the SYD Signature Series Making Mistakes is the Process…

Message From Marlene

Much Drama is created from the stories we tell ourselves. What is a story? A story is a belief you have about life or about yourself or your situation. Our stories work for us or against us. The ones that work against us are cloaked in judgment.

I used to have a story that once I accomplished X, then I would be successful, and once I was successful then I could be happy. I call this story “Salvation is on the Island.” In other words, happiness is dependent upon a particular achievement. You keep “rowing and rowing” trying to get to the island that will finally bring satisfaction.

My article today is about how easy it is to lose power to a story that keeps you stuck in drama and unhappiness.

The Drama Story

So here I was…. I had left a blue collar job where I had worked for over 20 years.  I reinvented my life and in a few short years I had delivered speaking engagements to NASA, Sprint, and McDonalds. I had been the keynote speaker for various professional associations. I developed products purchased by The Detroit Free Press and DTE Energy, yet I still felt “unsuccessful.” I hadn’t published a book yet. The book became the next island. I compared myself with published authors, judging my own reinvention as unworthy and small.

In addition, I was certain this “mind drama” was unique to me. I was sure the most “successful people” never discounted themselves or wondered about their happiness or success. (See how a good story always makes you feel special, different, misunderstood?)

Thank goodness for highly successful role models willing to share their challenges so we know we are not alone. Just a few weeks ago Oprah talked about the distress she felt because of her weight gain.
 
Oprah is a role model for society; an example of what is possible. She's the first African-American billionaire. In 2006 she gave everyone in her studio audience a car and recently donated over 40 million to start the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa for low income girls.

Not only is Oprah wealthy, she’s generous, popular, brilliant and connected. Oprah's show airs in over 117 countries in the world. She was reading by age 2 and at age 6 she advanced to third grade. No one can argue about Oprah’s success, yet even Oprah sometimes judges herself.

In one of her shows she said, "All my money and success means nothing if I can't even control my body."  (I'm paraphrasing.) 

Seeking a Higher Truth

Maybe to Oprah it “feels” true that the money and success do not matter when she is looking at perceived personal failure. There’s always a kernel of truth in every story. The challenge is to look for a higher truth: a truth that will set you free.

Money and resources do matter. Isn’t it better to have access to money and success to help you handle the problems? And isn’t it a blessing to be able to share your message to empower millions who falsely believe they are alone? 

This is not to criticize Oprah. She is my favorite role model…a light in this world.  The point here is even spiritual and conscious people doing great things in the world sometimes are susceptible to “the story” and fail to look for a higher truth.

My challenge to you (and to myself) is to examine the places where you beat yourself up and discount your own brilliance, beauty and successes just because you have had a setback. Be careful about justifying your story by saying, “It’s the truth.” As my friend and fellow entrepreneur Chase Barfield says, “Mistakes are part of the process not the end result.”

Stories can be quite powerful. In every story, there is a kernel of truth. The challenge is to seek the higher truth so the story loses power and you reclaim yours. Want to comment on this article? Go to the blog.

Want to Write a BooK?

If I can do it so can you! Many people want to write a book but the goal seems so far away. Learning from others who have gone before you is time well spent. Join me on January 21st, where Shelley Lieber, founder of VIP Authors invites me to share my publishing experience. Click here to learn more.

Revealing the SYD Signature Series

In January and February I’m going to be presenting “The Signature Series” for FREE to anyone who registers. The signature series will reveal many pieces of the SYD Signature process. We’ll talk about how to identify the "signs of drama" and reasons we make bad decisions, how the story keeps us from reaching our potential. I’m even going to share some personal examples of how I learned these universal principles apply to becoming a conscious creator and reinventing your life. Register here.

Get involved! Would you take a survey to participate in the series? I want to be able to speak to your specific concerns if time permits. Click here.

Making Mistakes is the Process…

Do you love that quote as much as I do? It’s a creation of Chase Barfield, founder of Logic Wear Clothing. Take a look at the cool T-Shirts. I met Chase via the Internet and he introduced me to his lovely wife over lunch. Just another reminder that we all are works in process!

Register Here

You got the first copy of “The Drama Stops Here” because you have a relationship with Marlene Chism. If you want to continue to receive this ezine, go here to register.

If you have friends or business associates who would appreciate this information, please forward this ezine and invite them to register.

Many surprises, ideas and business resources are coming your way.