Become a Celebrity in Your Own Backyard

This past weekend, the kids and I went back home to visit my parents and go to the country agricultural fair. We prepared cookies, crafts, drawings, Lego, photography, and flowers to be entered into the bench show, all with anticipation of winning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize. What a frenzy we were in! We had just met the deadline. Phew!

The event kicked off with a parade and good ole' candy tosses. Before the parade got started, I ran into someone I knew and we started to chat. After I was done visiting, my son turned to me and said,

"Mom, I think we should move to a small town.
Everyone knows each other; it is just like being a celebrity!"

Although, I do not plan on moving anytime soon, his comment spurred a whirlwind of thoughts in my head leading to this blog post. Brilliant!

To showcase your talents and abilities, why not start in your own backyard? Often, these are the people who know you or know of you but do not always know what you do or what skills you possess. When you start to bring this to people’s attention, they will take notice and also want to support your efforts. You may have heard of a campaign "Shop Local". The “Shop Local” Philosophy can start with you! Start advertising or writing articles for your community, whether it is in your local area, town, city, or province or state. Give back to your community by getting involved in a local charity or supporting fundraising efforts. People will get to know you and your work and the word will spread just like coming from a small town. You will be a celebrity in your own backyard!

When you start to branch out into the great big world, sky’s the limit! The backyard will be “the comfort zone or give you a safe feeling of home” and you will slowly and steadily begin to stretch into new areas and new beginnings.

No matter where you come from or where you head to, 

you can always look back to where you started and feel like a celebrity.

We won several prizes and the kids had a blast. My daughter came home with a Blue Ribbon for her age category. Great memories!


Share your story of getting known  and remembered in your community.

Increase Your Deserve Level

Your ASK Matters

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if you only asked for what you wanted and needed? Life is kind of like a high school dance from the movies. You sit along the walls of life waiting for opportunity to come and ask you to dance. However, when opportunity arises, you may feel uncomfortable as you reluctantly reach for out toward it. The dance may seem awkward at first but slowly you develop a rhythm. The dance is light and you are swept off your feet. Why? Because others around you have supported you, all because you got up and met opportunity instead of sitting down.

I use this analogy because I have seen time after time, myself included, where you have the opportunity to ask for help and you stop. You stop just as you start to pick up momentum. The music that is playing in your head of chatter starts saying things like this:

"Why would they want to help me?"
"They are so influential and accomplished. I am out of their league."
"You are just going to make a fool or yourself. They will probably laugh."
"They do not have the time of day for me."

Think just for moment. What is the answer right now, without even asking. You are correct if you said a resounding, "NO!" You have not even asked. Your odds improve when you ask for what you want but there is a technique to asking. Sometimes you have to ask more than once and in a different way.

Here is some ways to ask for what you want:

1. ASK the right person or persons. Just like a business meeting, you want the right people at the table at the right time for the right issue at hand. You need to ask a person who already has the knowledge you need or knows someone who can help you.

2. ASK with confidence. You need to be fully present when you ask with no distractions. Believe you can get what you are asking for.

3. ASK knowing the answer is YES. Be prepared and do a little bit of research related to your question. Create win-win scenarios whenever possible. When each person benefits, the likelihood of getting a "YES" is high.

4. ASK with specifics. Be clear and specific in what you ask for. You do not often need to give a rundown of the past 6 months in detail. Time is precious so you need to highlight important facts and ask specifically for what you want. The more clarity to your question, the more likely you will receive a "YES".

There are 3 details I want you to remember: People may be waiting for you to ask them because of their own fears and internal chatter. People naturally want to help people. Your ask can also lead to more asks, new friendships, joint ventures, and introductions to people you show know.

Your ASK matters. As some of you know, my husband and I spearhead a shoebox campaign each year which stemmed from an item on my bucket list. My Bucket List Item is ... an all expense paid trip to Ukraine with my family and parents to deliver shoeboxes to an orphanage in Ukraine so we could see the children faces light up as they opened the boxes. We have sent shoeboxes overseas but I am determined to see the excitement and joy of Christmas in their faces. One day I had a light bulb moment, I made an "ask" to a local school to be a part of my dream. They said, "YES!" We started helping 120 children, 3 years ago and have now we have reached 617. The ripple affect it has had on our colleagues, family, and friends has been tremendous. If I had not asked, the warmth I feel in my heart and the smiles and the tears I saw on the children faces and volunteers would not have come to pass.

How many people are waiting for you to ask? How many people want to be a part of your success story? How much better would the world be if you only made the ASK? Your ASK matters.

I Hope You Dance....

Tap Into Your Intuition

Tap Into Your Intuition by listening to your gut instinct. Get more clear on the message you are meant to hear. Start by being still and alone with your thoughts in a quiet place. Journalling is a great place to get started in developing your intuition. Write down your thoughts without editing. Not sure what to write? Start writing about why you are writing or about what kind of day you wish to create. Journalling is also a good clearing exercise in which you can ink a question that has been nagging you. With a clear mind after a good night's sleep, you will find it easier to focus on an answer or solution. Finally, being aware of how your body reacts in certain situations will often tell you if you are on the right or wrong path. Have you ever had an uneasy feeling when something may have been dangerous? Your body was warning you. The more you start paying attention to your body, the more you will be able to tap into your intuition.

Have your ever not listened to your intuition? What happened?

Batter Up! Are You Playing in the Big Leagues?

Our minds are so powerful. Many of us think we have grand ideas until we surround ourselves with those who think bigger than we do. I do not see myself shrinking in awe but rather standing taller and leaning forward to listen and learn and play in the big leagues. I am planning to play way bigger than I currently am. Have you ever noticed that people see your greater potential often before you do? Why is that? Put your hand in front of your face....can't see much right. You are so close to it, it makes it difficult to see your full hand or beyond it.
You probably come up with awesome ideas all the time. Some ideas you may write down and some float off into thin air. There may even be some you execute. And yes, there are some ideas that get your juices flowing that you talk yourself out of. Why? The chatter in your head is telling that you can't and you mentally wrestle with a quiet voice, almost a whisper saying yes you can.
The "can't" voice might be saying:

• "It needs to be perfect."

• "Who would buy that?"

• Do you really think people will pay that much?

• "Who do you think you are?"

• "I can't make more money than.."

• "What will people say if..."

Challenge the stronger voice - the voice that says “No, you can't.” The voice that believes in you.

Play in the big leagues:

• Hit a homerun! Imagine yourself sliding into home plate and the crowd is cheering as you have achieved your ultimate goal.

• Quit looking for perfection - be innovative. You are unique in your style and who you are is what people want. If you wait too long, you might miss the opportunity.

• Look inside yourself for the wisdom that others are searching for and share it.

• Believe you deserve it and you are worth it. You are no accident.

• There is enough for everyone.

• Be open to learning from those who have been where you want to go. They want you to grow, and so do I!

• Share your dream with others so others may serve you and be open to receiving all the possibilities.

You can play in the big leagues too. When you shift your mindset from playing in the little leagues to the big leagues, you begin to challenge yourself to new levels. Every time you move up a level, you will meet more teachers to guide and challenge you to step up to your greatness at the plate. Batter UP!

What is your voice telling you? Are you playing as you could be? If not, why?

What Opportunities Have You Missed?

I am visiting my sister and her family in Thunder Bay, Ontario. They love to hike. It has been a while since I have really hiked. The last place I hiked was the Grand Canyon to Havasu Falls. I saw it on a postcard and thought I need to see this. I did not know where it was or how I was going to get there but I knew I had to see it and I did. It was breathtaking and the blue-green water was so pure!

I love adventures because you never know what you will learn about yourself in the process. We began to hike Mount McKay and part way up I started to hear, "Mom, I can't do this." from my 7 year old son. I stated, "You can't or you choose not to. Here's some water." Distractions are great. When you put your focus on how you CAN do something versus how you CAN'T, you can get a little farther each time. Again, just meters from the top, he said, "Mom, I really can't." "Here is some more water." - I responded. There was sweat on my brow, I call it – glistening. Quenching his thirst, we took our final strides to the top overlooking Lake Superior and the "Sleeping Giant". We made it to the top. What a great accomplishment (I was so proud of the kids for trying something new)!

Going down was a bit more challenging than going up. The path going up seemed so steep and narrow and we forgot about the short areas where it was flat (although very few). I think many of us feel that when we attempt things we are not use to doing, new or uncomfortable; we see the path as steep and narrow. There are many challenges that test our minds to see how persistent we really are. Just think if my son would have quit before we reached the top, we would have missed the opportunity to see the fantastic view. Many people quit just before they reach their breakthroughs. They feel they have given all they got when they are just minutes or days away from reaching their destination. Those who hold out - reap the rewards.

What mountain are you trying to climb? How can you distract yourself to focus on your peak (destination)?

That One Big Break!

Are you wondering whether or not you should look into a crystal ball or shake some dice in Vegas? Are you comparing yourself to others and thinking why can't I have what they have? Are you sitting on your porch swing waiting for someone to come to your door step to tell you it is your time to be a star? If you said yes to any of these, you might want to splash some cold water on your face to refresh yourself.

Your lucky break does not have to come from shaking a pair of dice or learning about your future. The reason you do not have what someone else has is because what was achieved was meant for them in their way and not yours. However, if you admire what another has, you should be inspired to know that you can aspire to have great things in your life too. Little do you know, this overnight success you have been comparing yourself to has been a work in progress for some time now. Their consistent efforts and persistent attitude helped them get to where they are today. Learn from them. Study them. Get to know them as a person. Ask them about how they got started. You might be surprised. Your new connection could also lead you to others you must meet. As the saying goes, you shouldn't wait for success to come to you, "you need to swim out to meet it."

Create your big break! Increase Your Odds of Success...

1. Tell everyone you know about your dreams, ambitions, and goals.

2. Ask them if they know someone you should meet in their network and request a virtual introduction. There are on average about 250 people in each person's network.

3. Connect with the person you were introduced to with a 15 minute phone call. Remember people do business with people they know, like, and trust. Be real.

4. Be specific. People naturally want to help people but they cannot help you if you do not ask or if you do not know what to ask for.

5. Think about how you can help others by connecting them with your network or circle of influence.

Make big plans for yourself by setting goals and breaking them down into manageable pieces. They are the "breaks" that make the difference. Take action with each piece. Each action helps you take another action step. Before you know if, your goal will be attained.
What "big break" have you been waiting for? What is it that you can do today to help someone with their "big break"?

“Cherish the journey; the destination is where it all comes together.”

– Debra Kasowski

Trust Yourself

"You cannot trust another person until you fully trust yourself." Veronica Conway - in Click - Ten Truths in Building Extraordinary Relationship by George C. Fraser.

You need to trust in yourself that you have skills and abilities to navigate through life and handle whatever comes your way.

A Very EXTRA - Birthday to YOU! Reason to Celebrate Even More!

I love surprising people. I wanted to surprise someone with a gift of a birthday card and guess what? I am the one who ends up with a gift. My colleague and dear friend Debbie Mrazek, author of The Field Guide to Sales was celebrating her birthday. She mentioned that sometimes the family gets a bit disappointed when she cannot celebrate every minute of her birthday with them. (She is a loved woman!) So her girlfriend told about the BIG BIRTHDAY plan! I loved it so much I wanted to share it with you. Do you want to know?

For every year you are celebrating, extend your birthday celebration by that many days. So if you are turning 43, add 43 days where family and friends can book some time with you to celebrate. Come on, why have only one day when you can have 43! Everybody's happy - including you!No extra candles for goodness sake!

Celebrate your birthday in style! Live your life rich from the inside out with relationships that fill your core! Thank you for the special gift Debbie! Keep celebrating and nibble on some chocolate!

Let Your Glass Runneth Over

I just came back from attending the eWomen Network Conference in Dallas, Texas at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel. I had the sincere opportunity to to hear Les Brown and Dr. Julie vanPutten speak on stage. The strongest message I share with you in the following video:

LIVE FULL DIE EMPTY BEFORE YOU DIE

"The ideal situation to die is to have family and friends praying around you versus the ghosts of the dreams and passion you did not pursue that must die with you. What story will die with you?" - Les Brown

If there is something you are passionate about, please go after it. You rob the world of your talents, skills, charisma. The world will not be as it should without your gifts.

Share with us how you live life to the fullest and let your cup runneth over!

If You Are Happy and You Know It - You Made a Choice

To be truly happy in life is to be truly happy with the person you are right now. You made choices bringing you to where you are today. You might have heard people say, "I will be happy when..."

• I am out of debt.

• I lose 10 pounds.

• I graduate from school.

• I get married.

• I have saved $1500.

• I get rid of these stretch marks.

What's on your list?

If you waited to be happy, you may not get there. You may lose your motivation. Remember the stretch marks may be from birthing a child - you gave life. Now that's pretty amazing! Happiness in a bundle. You need to realize you do not know what tomorrow may bring. You can choose to be happy or you can choose to be miserable. It is up to you. Happiness is a matter of attitude.

Can you be a happier by paying double the minimum payment of your debts, cutting up extra credit cards (really, how many do you need?), or putting an extra $35 to your savings account today? Can you enjoy a healthier lifestyle by making healthier eating choices and exercising with a friend? Can you enjoy your extracurricular activities and meet your soul mate in the process? Of course you can - these are action steps instead of waiting...what if tomorrow doesn't come - you may come up with a new excuse tomorrow not make the choice to be happy in this moment. Love who you are and where you are right now. Make the choice to change the course of your destiny – be happy today. You are continually evolving into the person you were meant to be.

Happiness is a matter of choice. A choice to be happy no matter what!

What choices are you making today to be happy?

Consistency Always Wins

Whatever your goal may be, it is important to take consistent steps of action to create momentum. One time efforts will not move you forward. Determination and discipline will lead you in the right direction - closer to your goal. Your habit of action will reward you but you must not give up. Time prevails. The longest distance to your goal is the one getting you from where you are right now to the first step.

Your goals add passion to living. If you want to write a book, save a domain name, write an outline, write a sentence or a paragraph before bed, or even apply for an ISBN number. Whatever you do, do something, especially if you really want it! Maybe you would like to run a marathon, join a running group like The Running Room or a Team in Training for Diabetes (fundraising and training), go for a walk and advance to a run at your pace, and feel the breeze on your face as you breathe in the fresh air. Sweetness of the journey my friends! Consistency will take you to the finish line!

A Good Night Begins with Momentum and Keeping the Ball in Motion

Have you ever been to a football game or another sporting activity where the fans toss a beach ball around to see how far it can make it around the stadium? Did you ever wonder what would happen if no one participated? No - maybe 'cause with all the excitement, people cannot help but be a part of it; perhaps you were one of them. They feel the energy and want to feel the excitement of being part of something bigger than themselves.

Each time you take a step toward or a hit at your beach ball or goal. You are creating motion and with motion comes momentum. Share your goals with others so they can be a part of creating and moving your goal from motion to achievement. Take daily actions to keep the ball in motion. What happens when you stop moving the beach ball around? You need to start all over again and need to regain the momentum every time you stop and start. Your daily actions have greater impact than just doing something once in a while. Maybe you need to hug your kids one more time each day or pay attention to your finances and spending patterns each day so you can create an awareness and an intention to keep your goal or beach ball in motion.

When you focus on your goals every day, before you know it, you will have achieved them due to the daily actions and choices. Where your energy goes, momentum will follow. It takes time to get the beach ball around the stadium but with consistent effort it makes its way around. Hear the crowd roar - you did it! You reached your goal! You will have a reason to celebrate because it is going to be a GOOD NIGHT!

I Beg Your Pardon...You Wanted a Rose Garden?

Every year I nurture a rose garden near my deck. I laugh because I use to think roses smelled like the air fresheners that you put in the bathroom near your toilet bowl, so your bathroom smelled like a porcelain bowl of roses. Now times have changed....I do not buy rose air fresheners. Instead, I have the real thing..aahhh much better. White roses are my favorite!

My parents' song as a couple has always been I Beg Your Pardon I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Lynn Anderson. My father plants and nurtures a rose garden for my mother as a reminder of this song so I guess that's why I now do the same. What's so special about a rose? Not only is it a symbol of love (good times) but if you note there are also thorns (bad times or failures) on roses. No matter what thorns (mistakes/failures) you encounter along the way, you are sure to receive abundance and beauty as you nurture the rose garden of your life with consistency and care. Rose love moisture and sunlight. The energy brings forth beautiful blooms of flowering results. It is how you get through those times, that makes your stronger, more resilient, and more courageous than you have ever thought.



If you are feeling like something in your life is not going as it should for you right now, nurture it with love and energy. You have the resources available to you to move through it and you do not need to do it alone. Ask for the help you need to get a project done. Soon enough you will be smelling real roses from the garden in which you sow. Stop and smell your roses of success!

Are You Tweeting Better?

Every day I learn new things that can also make another person's life better. I know for some people social media can be a bit awkward and maybe even downright confusing. Hence, books like "Twitter for Dummies" and "Twitter Marketing: An Hour a Day" were born. Where there is a need or "pain", there is invention and innovation. I have been playing around a bit with Twitter the past couple weeks and experimenting with some things that I have learned about - maybe you would like to increase your Twitter following. Here's some tips on how:

1. Profile Photo - Ensure you post a clear photo of yourself, preferably a close up. People tend to follow faces more than they do logos. Faces are more personable unless you are media or big brand names like Pepsi or Coca-Cola.
2. Biography - Provide a short description of yourself, what are your unique qualities? Why would people want to follow you? What can they relate to? Read some profile bios for ideas.
3. Follow People with Similar Interests - You can connect with people who are like-minded and also see who is following them. You may also want to connect with some of their followers too.
4. Retweet - When watching the tweets on different pages you may notice RT, RT means that someone has retweeted someone else's message.
5. Keep It Short & Sweet - Tweets have a content maximum of 140 characters. Leave at least 20-30 characters free so that people can reply or retweet your message.
6. Be a Value Tweeter - Tweet about topics relevant to your subject area or expertise. Provide shortened links (bit.ly or tiny.url) to valuable information such as articles, tips, tools, or techniques.
7. Use # hashtags - Hashtags are like a filing system or a categorization of topics. For example, #quote can be used at the end of a quote. After you post the quote, you can go to your tweet and click on #quote to see who else is posting quotes. You may want to retweet or follow tweeters  that resonate with you.
8. #FollowFriday or #FF - On Fridays, fellow tweeters suggest people that others should follow. Great content - great followers.
9. Unfollow Inactive Users - Tweeter Karma is a tool in which you can unfollow inactive users so you can follow people who are active on Twitter. There is an acceptable ratio of followers and following so you are better to have active users on your list.
10. Track Your Progress - Twitter Counter is another useful tools for predicting your Twitter growth but it also allows you to discover what tweeters value from you and others. What are the hot topics of conversation?

Two Extras!

1. Remember once it is out there, it is out there! ONLY tweet what you would say face to face.
2. Learn the rules.

There is so many other tips and tricks to the skill of navigating social media. Create a conversation, sign up for newsletters, and connect with others. Follow me on Twitter @debrakasowski

Quitting Is Not An Option Honey!

Achieving your goals and realizing your ultimate potential are the greatest gifts of personal fulfillment. When challenges arise, many people quit their pursuits because they appear too difficult. Challenges are meant to define us. You may have heard the saying that some people quit, not realizing that they are only minutes away from achieving success. If you knew the exact moment that your success would arrive, would you work as hard to achieve it? Would you put forth the same effort, determination, and commitment or would it become an expectation?  Some people may work with anticipation and others may kick back waiting for success to come to them. The ones who work diligently with persistent effort will prevail. There may be times of frustration when you may question yourself, "At what point, do I quit pursuing what I want?" The answer is easy. Quitting is never an option.

What does quitting achieve? Quitting is a self-defeating act unless you are quitting something that is unhealthy like smoking, gambling, or another form of addiction. Making changes achieves more. Quitting is to stop whereas change creates momentum. Do not see changing your journey as quitting but as a decision to do something different that helps you maximize your potential and live your life with passion and zest.

How will you know when it is time to change? When you are clear on what it is you to want to achieve, you will have a burning desire to continue until you achieve what you set out to get. When you have lost your passion and desire to go after your dream or goal, it is time to reflect and decide if what you are doing is serving you or even helping you live to your full potential.

Changing your direction with clarity and conviction will change the course of your life. You will start to see a path lit for you. When obstacles occur, they do so to challenge your desires. Quitting does not serve you or others but changing your direction to one of passion and fulfillment will. People will want to share in your passion and help you achieve your goals. Quitting is not an option nor is it a solution.

"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."

 - Conrad Hilton

Great Idea Maybe I Should Check in with My Friends First or Not?

Have you ever noticed that when you need a reminder or a kick in the pants, it shows up? Literally, I was reminded to keep focussed on my goal and to not be distracted by shiny objects or distractors. What I mean by distractors is unsolicited advice. Colleen Francis, President and Founder of Engage Selling Solutions spoke at our Canadian Association of Professional Speakers - Edmonton Chapter meeting recently and shared excellent advice for all. I couldn't wait to write about what I learned.

Colleen Francis & Debra Kasowski

No matter what your goal or dream is, you need to continue to take steps toward it; even when you are unsure if everything will work out. How will you ever know if you never try? People will always have their own take on whatever it is your dream or goal may be. Remember it is their interpretation from their own experiences and not yours. Colleen stressed that advice should only be considered from "people you respect and who have been there." People who have been there can share their successes, mistakes, and their take aways with you so you can learn from them.  As for the others she said, "Don't listen, if you want to do it, DO IT!"

So you have a great idea...how many people do you have to check in with before you take steps toward it. Several people check in with family and friends only to be dismayed with their lack of understanding, support, or enthusiasm. Who it really should matter to, is you. Here are some of the steps that Colleen suggested when trying out new ideas:

1. IMPLEMENTATION Create your plan of action and implement it to the best of your ability. 
2. TEST Test your ideas and make adjustments where necessary.
3. EVALUATE RESULTS Did your ideas work? Maybe you need to make more adjustments by adding something or taking something away or perhaps you have to try something completely different.

I am sure you have tons of ideas waiting to be implemented but you may be hesitating to act on them for the fear of failing or being rejected. How do you know you will fail? Maybe your success comes when you think you know you will fail and you are WRONG! You could just hit the jackpot!

Now that would be something to celebrate, go out and try your ideas. Keep focussed on your end game.

Who Are You Counting On?

As you grab your things for the day and take one last look in the mirror, do you say to yourself - "I love my life" or do you say "I never signed up for this life; someone give me another one." The person in the mirror is you. You are responsible for your actions and you are accountable for your results. Do you catch yourself complaining, blaming others, or making excuses for your current situation? You may not even realize that you do it. Make yourself aware of how often you do this by keeping track of all the times you do it so you can change it.

You have helped create the situation you are in today. You may not be able to control the weather or the stock market but you can control what actions you take to change your current situation. Have you ever tried to change someone else? Were you successful? Probably not. The reason is because you cannot change the action of others. You can only control and change your own actions. Own your power! When you complain, blame others, and make excuses for the results of your current situation, you are moving farther away from your desired results. You are giving away your power to do anything about the situation.

You release your power when you make statements like:

·          "It's not my job."

·         "I cannot do anything about it."

·         "I don't have time."

·         "I didn't know"

You have the power to make a change by being accountable.

Change your statements to "I can" or "I will." Make time for what matters to you. Own your power and create the life you desire. The next time you look in the mirror say, "I can count on you! I love my life!"

Discovering Your Brand

I recently attended my colleague's launch party of her new directory of activities you could do with your family in Alberta. What a great success it was! As I was thumbing through the directory, I saw some pictures of Alberta's landmarks even one from my hometown of Mundare, Alberta - The "Sausage Capital".

That's Right! The Stawnichy's Meat Processing Plant is well known for its sausage and other Ukrainian foods. The sausage is the brand. Even though you may think this statue is kind of quirky - it gets people's attention and they know about it. There are many other small towns that have made their mark on the road map - Glendon, Alberta has a perogy on a fork, Andrew, AB a Mallard Duck, and Vegreville has the world's largest Easter Egg - The Psyanka. You can bet -you want to catch that Easter Bunny. Even the Queen came here!

Really when it comes down to it, it is about their brand. When someone mentions Mundare, people think of sausage. Your personal brand is important too. When people talk about you or your business, what do they think of or say. You want them to remember you. 

What do you want them to say or think about you or your business?

What do you want them to know and remember about you?

How do you make people feel? 

Are you the solution to a problem 

or an expert on a certain topic?

What makes you unique?

You want to be known and remembered for your personal brand. Do your marketing materials reflect your brand?

Everything you touch, turns to your brand!

Excuse Me Rango...Are You Ready to Take the Lead?

Every exciting story has a hero or a heroine that conquers some sort of conflict which leads to an important self-discovery. This past weekend, my family and I went out for a family movie night with popcorn, pop, and friends. It is something we have not done in a long time and it was long overdue. We went to see the movie "Rango" featuring Johnny Depp as the lead character. In a traditional Johnny Depp style, he played a smooth swaggering gentleman or I should say lizard who questions his purpose in life. "Who am I?" is a question stated through the movie. He practices taking on several roles and personas until he finds the best one.

You can be so many things! The world truly is your stage. You have so many dreams, goals, and stories to share with the world. Yet deep down, sometimes there's a part of you that may say, "What do I know?" or "Can I truly do that?" Absolutely you can. Whether you realize it or not, you are the heroine or the hero that people look up to in your story. Your purpose is a piece of the puzzle in so many other people lives as well as your own. Children, spouses, friends, and colleagues depend on you to carry out your role of being you. You may not always understand or believe in your significance to others but you need to know you are significant. You are a hero or heroine. If you try to walk out of your story, the story ends. Ultimately, the story becomes a tragedy because so many people are waiting for you to take the stage and live the life you were meant to live and play a part in their story.

One of the greatest lessons and reminders the movie "Rango" gave me was: You cannot walk out on your story and no one else can change the plot of your story. What would you like your story to be like? Write down your storyline. Ask yourself the following questions:

· What type of lifestyle would I like to live?
· Who are the other characters I would like to have in my life?
· What defining characteristics do I have that allow me to play the lead?
· What is my purpose?
· How can I discover it?
· How can I share it?
· What is the message that I wish to remembered for?

As the actor or actress, "act as if you already are" in the role and soon enough you will realize that you are. Walk the walk. Talk the talk. Don't walk away from the door of opportunity for that is where your story begins. Are you ready to take the lead on stage? The people are waiting.