Motivating Mojo

Yesterday, I had the awesome opportunity to speak to a group of approximately 30 young girls, ranging in age from 9-15 years of age. Having been one who grew up kind of "lost", due to my father's passing and an abusive mother and brother, giving back and helping other kids weighs heavy on my heart. Luckily, after years of searching, questioning and praying, I found ME again. For the first time in my life, I am no longer running from who I am. Am I perfect? Nope, nor do I want to be. But I no longer feel the need to apologize for having big dreams or wanting to inspire other people. I just wish someone had shared with my teenage self that it was OK to be ME and that if I love myself, that's really all I need. Therefore, having the opportunity to share my story with these girls yesterday was so empowering.  It's OK to be smart and driven. One young gal voiced a concern to me that "boys don't like smart women." She is right. Boys don't, but I...

"Have a dream so big that you can never achieve it.  Then become the person who can." Digging through some old boxes, I found a book of quotes that my Daddy left me before he passed away twenty-five years ago. (That's not hoarding, is it?) Flipping through it, I noticed that at some point in my life, I turned the corner down on that particular page. It got me to thinking about dreams and how so many people go through life without them. This week, I am working in my hometown a majority of the time. Being there reminds me that I never really did "fit" while growing up. (After years of therapy (aka beer), I am ok with going back.)  I was (and still am) a dreamer. I knew I was destined to get out of that town and chase my dreams. While most of my friends were getting married and having babies, I was embracing a radio career and doing stand-up comedy. My good friends were spending their nights changing diapers and scrap booking while I was writing and drea...

In the past few weeks, I have had several encounters where someone said, "I didn't know that about you." Being a lover of random acts of kindness and random thoughts, I decided to make it easier for my friends and list some of them here. (Makes it easier to avoid small talk later. No offense...) Yes, I used to be quiet and shy. It was my protection against a screwed up family. (You have no idea...) Ditched the family & ditched the shell. Yes, I have performed stand-up comedy & received a standing ovation every single time. I'm working on plans to return to it this summer! Yes, I do hate Tom Brady and Christian Laettner equally. There is no other athlete that will ever be able to cause my blood to boil in the way these two gals do. Yes, I really am working to obtain a pilot's license. No, I do not have a romantic bone in my body. No seriously, romantic gestures make me suspicious. Besides, I much prefer my funny bone! No, I do not have dreams of...