In 2013, I’ve taken some big leaps of faith. Number one on the list is that I’ve decided it’s time to GO BIG and launch a for-real speaking career. This website is the landing place for that. 2019 Note: This website is for so many things now!! Thanks for being here!!!
I’ve also engaged with George Marut, my agent. (Yes, I have an agent, can’t do this alone.) Note from 2019: I didn’t successfully re-launch my speaking career in 2013. I no longer have an agent, that was short-lived. One day I will re-launch speaking! At this moment, I’m just not sure when that will be!!!
I called a long-ago still Facebook friends friend Scott Greenberg and had a conversation with him about how to get things going. One of the first things he said to me when we were voice-to-voice was, “It’s about time. Mari, you’ve been depriving the world of some really good speeches for a while now.”
I have a gift and a curse you see. One of the reasons I’m so good with teenagers (little kids gravitate to me also) is that I have a lot of patience. I like to think of it as a Beginner’s Mind. After all, I meditate daily. Note from 2019: I have been meditating daily every single day since 2013!!!
It’s one of the reasons, along with some mad listening skills, that I am a good executive coach. I am okay that it can take people a while to get a thing. I am patient with the learning process. Mostly this is a gift.
The shadow side of the gift of a Beginner’s Mind is that I tend to continually see myself as a beginner. Which creates an interesting situation in my life. Mostly I have a hard time knowing what I’m good at, or shall I be so bold, what I’m an EXPERT at doing.
In 2013, I took stock of my life and realized that something I am good at, in fact, going out on a limb here, I’m an expert at, is speaking. Speaking and training. As a teacher, which I was in a high school classroom for 6 years, I was good. And then, through all of the various twists and turns in my professional life, as I look back, I kept finding myself “on stage.”
So, here I am, doing what needs to be done. I’ve spent years coaching people to listen to their inner calling. To listen to what their soul most wants to be doing. I am finally, finally listening deeply to my own self. Note from 2019: I continually practice listening deeply to my own self. It is a continual learning process! I love all the insights I keep gaining. Do you listen to yourself?? I hope so!
With profound gratitude to YOU all for being here as I make my way on this new old path!”
“You wander from room to room hunting for the diamond necklace that is already around your neck.” -RUMI
This post was first published here on this website on May 19, 2013.
I do listen to myself! I have also been known to write letters to my future self! Believe me, that was a great laugh. 16 year old me wrote to 30 year old me! (which is long past!) As for your story, I do want to hear it. That’s all a part of who you have become. Thank you for being brave and strong enough to share.
Cathy,
I love it that you listen to yourself and that you have written to yourself over the years!! So inspirational! And thanks for your support of me telling more of my story, the parts that many people don’t really want to hear about. Breathing deeply and diving in!
William Blake said “Great things are done when men and mountains meet.” He, of course, meant women as well 🙂 You have met your mountain and you are about to do that great thing!