Aaaahhh…a week in the Caribbean sailing on the Celebrity Eclipse. It was the type of experience that totally lights up our souls. A full week of sunshine, reggae, gourmet meals, warm breezes, Caribbean vibe, fruity cocktails…and relaxation squared. Together, we loved every single moment of it.

However, we almost didn’t do it. While we’ve had a warm-weather getaway just about every winter since the beginning of our relationship (nearly 20 years!), this winter was the first time we didn’t have a vacation planned. A big chunk of money had recently gone toward business training expenses, so it didn’t feel practical. Or even doable.

But because these winter vacations are always such a spiritual experience for us and bring us tremendous joy, in early January we thought we better find a way to make it happen. Our favorite vacation is a cruise, so Bill’s idea was for us to visualize a cruise every morning – get in touch with what that type of vacation feels like for us, imagining being on the ship in detail and how it fills our hearts.

We’ve learned that the best way to create an experience in our life is to act as if it’s already there.

So…just a few days of that was all it took for us to “magically” pool together airline miles, birthday and Christmas money, and other gift money. And the icing on the cake was the change bank we forgot about downstairs! We immediately cashed in the big Corona plastic bottle…and everything came together.

After emptying the change bank, our cruise was booked. We could barely wait!

We’re getting to be such seasoned cruisers that we decided to do something different this time. We left our formalwear at home, in service of simplicity – no cute cocktail dresses for me to pack and no suits for Bill to squeeze into a suitcase. While we love the dress-up nights, we opted for ease and comfort on this sailing. After all, this was our 12th cruise – time to shake things up a bit!

Once on the ship, the second formal night of the cruise was the only evening where we didn’t have “plans.” Since formal attire was required in the dining room (and again – we didn’t have any), we talked about doing room service on our private balcony or having burgers on the top deck under the stars. Looking at all our options and wanting to play things by ear, Bill said: “No worries, the night will work itself out.”

Famous last words.

Unsuspecting party guests

The afternoon of formal night, we attended a party for repeat cruisers. What an extravagant party they throw! Big band orchestra, fancy appetizers, desserts, and a menu of complimentary drinks. We chatted up other past Celebrity guests and relished in the royal treatment.

Stuffed from treats and cosmopolitans, on our way out we heard a voice hurriedly rushing up behind us. “Wait! Did you enjoy the party?” It was a crew member neatly dressed in uniform and intentionally seeking us out. We thanked him for the great party and explained how appreciative we were of our experience with Celebrity. It was his next question that stopped us in our tracks.

The invitation

“Would you like to dine with the Captain tonight? It would be our honor to have you at his table.”

Before we could reply, my mind went into overdrive. There was only one thing I really knew about the Captain’s table: The image of Captain Stubing on “The Love Boat” conversing with his esteemed personal guests, surrounding him in fancy attire. And now all of a sudden I had a real-life opportunity to be a part of this fantasy image I’ve held since I was a kid! Wow!

So, with big smiles we both said, “Yes, we’d be delighted!” And I swear, I’m sure we looked like little kids about to be magically escorted to the circus on an elephant.

“Fantastic!” the man said and was about to fill us in on the details.

But then reality set in. “Wait, we’d need formalwear for tonight, wouldn’t we?” Bill said.

Upon learning that yes, this was a formal affair and it did happen to be formal night, we felt completely dejected. How could we NOT have our fancy stuff with us? And even more importantly…how on earth could we turn down the most prestigious invitation a passenger could be offered?

“Wait,” I said. “Maybe we can make this happen.” We simply could not let this opportunity pass us by. I asked the nice man if we could have a few minutes to see if we could make it work and get back to him. He wrote his number down (and said to call him ASAP because he would have to find another couple if we couldn’t make it) and we were off.

Amazingly – and after a quick trip to the Guest Relations desk – we called our new friend back and said we could pull it off. He was delighted and said that an invitation would be hand-delivered to our room shortly. It was 3:15 and dinner with the Captain was at 6:00!

Mission Number-One: Tuxedo

Within 20 minutes, the ship’s tailor was up in our room measuring Bill for a tux. Normally, you have to reserve a tux at least 14 days before sailing.

Could we really make this work?

Thankfully, after a few different visits with various mishaps and ill-fitting pieces, Bill was the proud new owner of a tux rental for the evening! The jacket fit his broad shoulders, but the bottom of the jacket looked like he should have an additional hundred pounds on his gut. “Guess you’ll have to eat a bit more tonight,” our stateroom attendant commented. Not that that’s ever an issue on a cruise!

OMG, though – it was the pants that were killin’ me. You know how on “America’s Funniest Videos” there’s always some goofy guy on the wedding dance floor whose pants drop right down to his ankles? I was afraid this was going to happen to Bill. Whadda ya gonna do, though? If you want a tux ASAP, you gotta make a few concessions. He still looked pretty hot!

Mission Number-Two: Fancy Dress

I bolted and hit the ship’s elegant shopping area. I knew there were a ton of watches, jewelry pieces, perfumes, and accessories for sale…but I wasn’t fully sure what they carried in the way of evening wear.

Looking back, it’s funny that I was so confident we could make this event work out. How did I know there would be a dress that I even liked? Or one that would fit me? But with the help of two cute young sales associates, I had just the right dress for me within minutes. I actually had to make a quick decision between four amazing styles that fit perfectly – lucky me!

But, I didn’t have the right undergarments (ladies, think Spanx), and the only shoes I had were old slip-ons that I might wear to the beach. On top of that, the earrings I wear every day were gonna have to do and my only purse on the trip was the same one I brought to the State Fair last year. Oh well, this was not the time to be picky!

In under an hour, we had everything taken care of. Time to get ready! When I was in the shower, Bill had an epiphany and realized that he had no black socks, so this was the note I found on the bed:

The big night

As we frantically prepared ourselves and raced around our small cabin, bumping into each other with papers flying and things getting knocked over, Bill kept reminding me: “Don’t forget to breathe!”

All dressed up, without a second to spare! Not bad, huh?!

Out of 3,000+ passengers, there were five lucky random couples (although nothing is ever random). As instructed, we met up in the wine tasting room, promptly at 6:00 p.m. – everyone a bit nervous and unsure of what to expect. We naturally talked about “The Love Boat” and giggled a bit.

Then, the Captain walked in! He was the Staff Captain, second in command of our mega-ship. He politely went around the room and graciously shook our hands and gave each of us a big smile. We knew we were in for a fun night!

Our group was escorted to the main dining room, and I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a grand march at a high school prom, but that’s what it felt like. The Captain and we five couples paraded down the grand staircase from the upper level of the dining room to the lower level. Wow, did I ever feel special. I saw many people pause to look up from their tables and watch us with the Captain. Pretty cool!

We got to our table and experienced some of the best service on the planet and of course the food was incredible. It was fun to share in good conversation with the Captain about the ship, about the cruiseline, about his life in Greece, and about his thoughts on the recent ship sinking tragedy. What an honor to hear all this straight from the Captain!

I loved how before each course we all waited for the Captain to say “Bon Appetit!” before we dug in. It didn’t surprise me that Bill leaned over to me at dessert with a look of guilt and whispered, “Whoops, I already started.” Apparently he was on a mission to make those pants fit better.

After dessert, I passed around little window message cards for each person – the kind with a unique inspirational quote inside each one. Here’s the one I got:

What a great affirmation for me. It seems as though the whole evening was built on faith!

After a couple hours of amazing food and great conversation, each of the women received a beautiful red rose from the Captain (I don’t remember Captain Stubing doing that). And he came around again to each of us and very purposefully shook our hands and thanked us for dining with him.

What fun! Definitely a story to write home about (kind of like the nude beach escapade we experienced on our honeymoon cruise!).

The night was still young

Not that I wanted the evening to be over, but I will say it felt good to be “at ease” and let the hair down a little and hit the disco. Not much dancing for Bill, though, because his baggy pants would have ended up at his feet. So, we bar-hopped a bit (after all, if you’re gonna get all fancied up, you might as well stay up and enjoy it) and reflected on the serendipity of the evening.

We listened to a jazz quartet in our favorite lounge.

We enjoyed the string trio playing in another lounge.

And at the end of the night, I couldn’t resist capturing this shot of my guy in his tux doing what he does best…serving as a late-night pizza connoisseur. :)

Reflecting back

My dear friend and business coach/mentor, Fabienne Fredrickson, says that you will never be presented an opportunity without also being given the means to make it happen.

After being invited to the dinner, we somehow were able to pull together the required formalwear in a remarkably short amount of time: A tux and brand new dress seemed to be just waiting for us. We just happened to be free for the evening. And though I could have never imagined it happening, I was able to experience a fantasy event I had watched repeatedly play out on TV when I was nine (when my mom let me stay up late enough to watch).

You may have read stories here on the blog about what happens when we follow our joy. For example, we go to a favorite concert and always come home with a great story – whether it involves front row seats, backstage fun, a surprising kiss (!), or other amazing experience. Something fun always happens when we’re together. We do a good job of setting our intention ahead of time while staying open to the possibilities of the experience – whatever they may be.

Of course it’s important to know what you want in life and create a plan. But I always tell my clients that at the same time – it’s just as important to be open to whatever it is that comes your way. Just like we found out on our last cruise. :)

Using joy as our guide

We’ve learned the lesson over and over of the importance of following the things that bring you joy. It’s where the richness of life resides and where the magic takes place. When we follow our joy, there’s always a type of “wink and a nod” from above that seems to affirm us and say: “Nicely done.”

As we boarded the ship at the beginning of the week, who would have ever thought that a few nights later we’d be dining at the Captain’s Table? Not us! But at the same time looking back – we’re not really surprised, since this is exactly the type of crazy thing that might happen when you follow your joy and stay open to the wonder of life.

Captain’s Table photo courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Recently, there was a game on Facebook that I chose to play. The idea was to look up the number-one song from the week you were born and then find it on YouTube and post the video as your status update. I couldn’t wait to find out what my song was! I figured it would be a super cool song – either by the Beatles or some other classic artist that stirred my soul.

But it wasn’t. The number-one song on February 2, 1969 was “Crimson and Clover” by Tommy James and the Shondells. Not that it’s a bad song. But I never really cared for it. In fact, through the years, if I heard it on the radio I almost always changed the station.

So I posted it on Facebook and unenthusiastically claimed it as my song. Then I figured I might as well listen to it, in full, since I was putting it out there and sharing it with my peeps.

The shift

When I hit the “play” button, something inside of me shifted. For the first time ever, I closed my eyes and fully let this tune in.

I took a deep and purposeful breath and envisioned my 18 and 19 year-old parents, kids themselves, holding me for the first time.

I imagined feeling what it might have been like to be them in the late 60’s. An independent Jewish girl who marched to the beat of her own drum. And a quiet Lutheran athlete ready to try out college. Both barely out of high school in an unconventional relationship.

As the song played on, I let myself get lost in the melody. I felt such love and respect for those kids who became my parents, and for the first time, it seems that I fully “saw” them. I started loving the song, too. I turned up the volume and let it take me away. I had goosebumps.

And then I started to sob.

Accepting what is

In a matter of moments and with this song as the catalyst, I went from fighting “what is” to accepting and honoring who I am and my place in the world.

It was just another reminder of how challenging it is to go against the flow of life. I initially wanted a different song that I thought was “cool.” But the reality was that this was the song that was number-one when I was born. Plain and simple. I couldn’t skew the facts or alter the Billboard charts. Letting this song in, in its entirety, represented me loving and embracing what is – all the way back to the very beginning. Pretty cool experience.

Just yesterday I had a conversation with a client about living a life that is more ‘congruent’ with who she is. I explained the importance of not only striving for something better…but of also holding the truth of ‘what is.’ We are all free to create any type of life we want for ourselves but not until we accept what is, first. The path to joy is clear, only when you appreciate where you’ve been and fully allow yourself to be all of who you are.

Celebrating life

Today is my birthday! I’m proud to say that Tommy James and the Shondells topped the charts the week Michelle Joy came into the world. I’m smiling thinking of my dear parents who chose to have ME as their very own.

My day today will start out with an individual call to each of them (if they don’t beat me to it!) with a message of appreciation and gratitude.

Lucky me to have the beautiful and blessed life that I do. I’ve always said that I’d never change a thing, because each step along the way has shaped me into the adult woman, rich with purpose, that I am today.

I keep this quote by Sarah Pound close to my heart, and it especially speaks to me on this important day:

“When you were born, God said ‘YES!’”

Amen. Now it’s time for me to go out and celebrate!

Please enjoy the song below that was a part of the soundtrack to my mom and dad’s life the week I was born. It really is a great song.

As you’re listening, you’ll get to take a peek at the life of a young Minneapolis family establishing their place in the world in 1969. Cheers! :)

Winters here in the Twin Cities are looong. So when things start to turn green, Bill and I get crazy. Big-time. We maximize the season and make sure to focus on the things that bring us joy. Nature, outdoor dining, concerts, boating on the lake, walks in the park, watching storms, adventuring, and exploring our beautiful city.

For the last several years, we’ve done what we call a “Midwest Summer Road Trip.” We check to see which of our favorite musicians are touring somewhere in the Midwest…and then we plot out a plan of attack. Our past summer road trips have included Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, and Steely Dan, to name a few. And the destinations have spanned Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Thanks go out to this year’s catalyst – the Steve Miller Band! With two back-to-back Midwest shows on their tour schedule, we were all in.

For us, a concert is never “just a concert.” And a road trip is never “just a road trip.” We make the absolute most out of everything we do. Call it “quirky,” “preference,” “over-the-top,” “habit” – whatever you want. It’s what we do.

While we put together somewhat of an agenda for our road trip, we also stay open to allowing the trip to unfold. When we trust that everything will work out perfectly, we’re always blessed with the most amazing experiences. To give you an idea of how things work out, I decided to bring you along on this year’s road trip!

2011 Midwest Summer Road Trip

The first Steve Miller Band (SMB) concert was in the big city of Chicago. The drive from Minneapolis gets to be a bit long and we like to break it up. So, Bill ditched cube-ville at the end of the workday in the middle of the week…and raced home to get the first leg of our drive underway.

I’m tellin’ ya – everything was on our side. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and “life” was at its peak. In the car, we set our intention for what we’d like to experience on the road trip. Both of us agreed: “Be present, breathe it all in, and stay open to the magic of the moment.”

There. Intention set.

Our first night we stayed in the middle of Wisconsin and arrived at Hotel #1 under a purple dusk sky. A beautiful crescent moon shone over the parking lot as we unloaded our stuff. To our surprise, when we got up the next morning and pulled the curtains back – this was the scene outside our window:

I had never been up that close to a cornfield before, and now I get why some horror movies are made with a cornfield as the set. Uber dark and spooky! But so cool to be up close in the daylight when things are safe.

Back on the road, once we crossed the Illinois border – we got to play one of our favorite games. For every toll booth we hit, we left extra money and told the person behind the window to pay for the next few people. Each time we were met with: “What do you mean?” or “Are you sure you want to do that?” Not only did we (hopefully) put a smile on the face of the drivers behind us, but we also gave the worker quite a smile and a lift. And the best part was that every single interaction made our day, too. Try it sometime!

Several toll booths later and after the slow drive into downtown Chicago, we finally got to Hotel #2. Which just happened to be the largest Hyatt in the world. Who knew?

We got settled and found a hoppin’ bar near the venue that was playing SMB tunes to get everyone fired up. Then on to the historic Chicago Theater.

Concert #1

What fun to meet up with our buddies, Kenny and Joseph, long-time SMB members, before the show.

As Kenny walked us across the stage and through the halls of the theater built in 1921, we could hear the distant piano playing beautifully backstage and echoing throughout. Joseph was getting ready!

We got a tour of the backstage operations, and I was enthralled looking at the walls in the stairwell…so much history. So many legends had once performed there and left their mark.

Incredibly cool to be in a small historic theater and also hang out in the green room.

The show was, of course, fantastic and had us up on our feet dancing and smiling from ear-to-ear throughout the entire show!

Afterwards, we hung out and met even more cool people – in the green room and then at a hotel lobby bar. Great deep and meaningful conversation, mixed in with laughs that still make my stomach hurt!

Bill and I are usually in bed by 10, but when you’re a rockstar things are different. We raided the mini-bar back in our room and ransacked the chocolate shelf. Finally shut our eyes just before 3 a.m.

Thank goodness for room-darkening curtains.

But then up early to make our way to the next city! We love road trips and all that they embody. One of my sweetest memories is of Bill and me eating our picnic lunch at a rest stop along the highway. You can always count on Subway to come through, regardless of the city.

The peacefulness and quiet with the summer breeze was so pure and refreshing. A butterfly hung out with us – and encircled us – the entire time. We saw cars pull up from a variety of states and we snickered at the various dogs flying out of the car as soon as the door opened. The cicadas were rockin’. And we were smiling. I gave Driver Bill the traditional shoulder rub, and then we were off and back on the road.

A few miles down the highway, I felt a little sheepish as we passed the SMB tour bus. I’m hoping that doesn’t officially define us as “groupies.” Or does it?

Next stop: Davenport, Iowa. We checked into Hotel #3 and hit the Mississippi Valley Fair where the band was doing a grandstand show. What a difference from the night before – outdoors and with 16,000 more people!

Concert #2

Our first purchase at the fair was two slices of pizza and two beers…totaling LESS than one drink at the Ritz in downtown Chicago the night before. Sheesh!

It was a blast to explore the grounds, meet some of the local folks, and see how they do things there. Everyone was super friendly.

Once again, it was great to hang out backstage. My highlight was giving the guys a hug as they were heading up to the stage…and a hug at the end of the night as they came off the stage. Priceless. I was one lucky girl.

Another fun moment was when Steve Miller heard about my blog and the premise for “Following Your Joy.” His comment: “That’s what it’s all about, and it’s why we’re all here.” Amen to that one!

I’ll never forget watching the 20,000 concert-goers, in amazement, from behind the stage. What a vantage point. Some up on shoulders, some hula-hooping, some smacking beach balls, everyone having a great time. It’s those moments frozen in time that can move me to tears. The way music connects all of us at the core is so powerful. I didn’t know one person out of the 20,000 and yet felt deeply connected to all of them for those couple hours.

Kenny does a great job of explaining this “transference of joy” via music in our previous interview. And Joseph excels at reminding people that even in a sea of thousands, we each matter.

Ahh…so grateful for another fabulous night…

Bill and I always trust that our paths cross with exactly the right people we are supposed to meet. And between those two nights, we connected with no less than a dozen people that we felt a “soul connection” with. You know who you are! And we’re grateful you showed up in our path. :)

Another late night and then back to our hotel.

The homestretch

This time, it was good to wake up on the homestretch of our road trip. Nowhere to be. No schedules. No rockstar performances. Just us.

We got out the map and instead of making the long trek home, we decided to pick a city along the way to set up camp for our last night.

Back on the road and found a patio for lunch, enjoying the sunshine and summer air.

Then in the car, we blasted our SMB tunes, sang along, and reminisced about all the fun we had at the two shows. 

It was Clear Lake, Iowa, we chose for our last stop. Who would have thought that on that particular weekend, it was their biggest event of the year? There was a classic car parade with over 600 classic cars and a big town dance in the park that night. Funny! Some of the hotels had been sold out for over a year, but we happened to get a room on a cancellation. Meant to be, huh?

We learned that this was the town where Buddy Holly and crew played their last gig before the fateful plane crash in 1959. Haunting music trivia.

We walked around the town marveling at all the mint-condition classic cars and then made our way to dinner. Afterwards, we sat on a bench and watched a park full of people dance to the music coming from the pavilion.

The band played a bunch of 50’s tunes, which isn’t our style, but it was so heartwarming to watch the older (older than us, at least!) couples dance…you could tell this music brought them right back to their younger days as they smiled and whooped it up in front of the stage.

We saw moms twirling babies and grandpas jumping up and down with toddlers. Such a joyful scene.

When the band took a break, so did we. The park was right on the lake, and the moon was shining brightly overhead. We walked out to the end of a public dock and got mesmerized in the moon’s reflection on the water and the warm evening breeze.

When the evening was over, we drove out to the darkest country road we could find and turned the car off. We watched the spectacular lightning show way off in the distance, reveled in the warm nighttime breeze, and didn’t say a word as we listened in amazement at the sheer volume coming from ‘whatever those insects were’ in the grass and trees! The epitome of a summer moment. It’s these kind of experiences that make you pause with a full heart.

The next morning as we headed toward home, we were ready. Ready to get unpacked, ready to sleep in our own bed, ready to get back to our regular routine. And as we cruised up the Interstate, we talked about how grateful we were for such a fantastic road trip. Chock full of nature, music, and deep soulful connections. We’re so happy we made this trip a priority!

Following your joy

Following your joy is about deciding what’s important to you…and then doing something about it. It’s about making space in your life for the things you love. This is exactly what I help my clients with, and I base my LifeShine business on this great quote by Harold Whitman:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Does the way you live your life match with what matters most to you?

A great indicator is to take a look at how you’re spending your time, your money, and your energy. Are those precious resources of yours going toward the things that are important to you? Or are things a little (or a lot) “off”? If so, that’s okay. Now is the perfect time to make adjustments.

First, take some time to get clear on the things you love and the things that jazz you. Need some help? Here’s a great way to get started. And then be sure that a chunk of your time, money, and energy are focused in those areas. If that feels like too big of a leap, no worries. Start small.

It has taken Bill and me time over the years to clarify what’s most important to us and then learn how to structure our lives in a way that’s aligned with our true spirits. You may have even read about our major life overhaul when we sold our custom-built dream home and downsized and started the business? Check it out – it’s a great read. Just remember that life is a journey, and wherever you are right now is perfect.

One thing we’ve known at the core – and declared when we were first dating almost two decades ago – is that vacations and adventure are A1 top priority. And both of us have been loving and enjoying concerts since we were each in junior high. So, these Midwest Summer Road Trips we’ve created couldn’t match our “aliveness” meter any better. :)

When I posted a hot-off-the-press photo on Facebook from our road trip, one of my friends commented: “I like the way you guys roll.” Thanks, Jill. Me, too!

Following your joy feels goood. It adds such depth and richness to life.

When the rain comes there’s only one thing to do. And all my life I’ve been conditioned to do it.

When it rains:

You postpone plans.

You hope to heck that your hair doesn’t get wet.

I’m 42, and I just learned a new way.

A night with U2

The legendary band, U2, came to Minneapolis last weekend. It was our first outdoor stadium concert here since 1978! Bill and I had to be a part of all the buzz here in the Twin Cities and were excited to participate in a historic night.

In front of the new TCF Bank Stadium

Storms were predicted right around show time. Hmm, what to do? On our way to the concert, we picked up the last two clear plastic “emergency rain ponchos” hanging on the rack at the local drug store. When I asked the lady behind the counter if they carried them, she said: “Aha! I bet you’re going to the U2 concert. Hurry before they’re gone!” So we grabbed them and stashed ‘em in my purse.

It was a beautiful hot summer night here in the Twin Cities. And that’s one of my absolute favorite parts of life: Hot. Summer. Nights. Love ‘em like crazy.

We enjoyed a few beers before the show and made our way into the stadium as the sun was setting.

U2 came on and the band blew us away!

About an hour into the show – as the first notes of “Beautiful Day” began – the wind picked up, the temperature dropped, and the gusts of an impending storm front swept through the crowd. And just at the same moment, colorful fireworks burst high into the sky from a nearby downtown celebration. Really? You’re killin’ me with the timing of this. It was too cool for words.

Shortly afterwards, it started raining. So we, along with a few other smart ones around us, got those ponchos on. And we stayed relatively dry and continued to enjoy the music while the rain continued to fall.

And then the downpour. Those four talented guys on that elaborate stage didn’t even flinch and kept pounding out the tunes. Lightning bolts off in the distance and a crack of thunder. The rain was so hard that it almost hurt my head! I kept my flimsy poncho hood pulled tight over my head to protect myself, just as I was supposed to.

Then it all changed.

The band catapulted the stadium of 58,000 fans into “Sunday Bloody Sunday” – with an incredibly powerful and soul-stirring performance. I felt the power of the bass in my chest. As I jumped up and down with the crowd, I noticed the standing water over my squishy flip flops, and the bottoms of my capri jeans were wet and heavy.

But I let the music fill me to the top. It was then that I woke up.

Seeing the light

A sense of “carpe diem” came over me. I ripped the ridiculous poncho hood off my head, which was getting in my way anyway, and pulled it down. Then I looked up to the sky and held my arms up high. I took a deep and purposeful breath of the fresh air in and felt the rain pelting my skin and my arms and face, and I let my mascara run all the way down my cheeks.

I opened my eyes and saw the guy next to me doing the same thing. Taking a momentary break from his night-long air guitar performance, he looked up at the sky, fully soaked, and raised his arms upward. It was like we were both thanking God in unison for this amazing moment in time. I’ll never see that guy again, but in that instant, I felt like I was connected to him forever.

I basked in it all. I’m quite sure that I’ve never let myself feel the rain like that. Ever. Complete goosebumps.

The show became a whole different experience for me as I engaged all my senses, and I felt fully alive. Giving in to “life” was the best gift I could give myself. Just like Bono sings: “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away…”

The entire concert experience was incredible. My buddies on Facebook keep using the same word that I can’t get away from, either: “Epic.” It’s true. It was epic. I’m so grateful that I let myself feel all of life that night. It was quite the spiritual experience for me.

I was reminded that totally living in the moment is a choice. At first, I was doing everything I could to keep myself as dry as possible. Wonder what purpose that would have served? It was when I finally let go and “rode the wave,” so to speak, that I was following the joy of the moment and was fully living. Thanks, U2, for leading the way.

So my new learning is this:

When the rain comes there’s only one thing to do.

Rock on, my friends!

Were you at the show? Love for you to share your experience below!

Just a couple weeks ago, Bill and I had one of those full-circle life moments. My posts on Facebook said it all. First update early in the day: “Very excited to see Robert Plant tonight! Bill has been a fan since 2nd grade when he bought ‘Led Zeppelin II’ at a garage sale across the street for a quarter.”

Second update much later that night: “Front-row center concert tickets – $200; dinner & drinks before the show – $60; Robert Plant giving us a smile & a nod after ‘Ramble On’ – Priceless.”

Wow, what an absolute thrill to hang out right at the stage, just a few feet in front of one of the greatest rockstars of all time. An experience we won’t ever forget!

There was so much magic and synchronicity wrapped up into that night. Initially, we had fantastic third-row seats and were incredibly excited as my first Facebook update showed. Shortly before the concert, though, I ‘accidentally’ stumbled upon a pair of tickets in the pit – right up front and center. For less than face value. No accidents, though, right? So I grabbed them and figured we would find just the right fans who wanted to buy our other tickets.

When we got downtown, I didn’t want just anyone to have those tickets; I wanted someone who would truly care, someone who would really appreciate them. There were plenty of scalpers on the street who would have loved to have given me a few bucks (and that’s it) for the seats, but that wasn’t what I was looking for.

A meeting meant to happen

Just then I saw a nice couple inside by the box office. “Are you interested in tickets?” I asked. The guy’s eyes lit up and he wondered what we had available. When I said third-row center, there was an amazing bolt of energy that went through the four of us. “We just drove here from out-of-town,” he said, “And this is my youngest daughter and I promised I’d get her here.”

I looked over at the young woman, her eyes instantly filling with tears, and she began telling me what a huge lifelong fan she has been. So my eyes – and then Bill’s eyes – filled up, too. This sweet father and daughter duo was so genuine and beyond excited at the idea of buying our tickets.

We made the exchange, gave them a good deal, and the daughter so graciously said to me, “Can I hug you? I know I’m going to cry during the show tonight. It’s like you guys are angels, ‘ticket angels.’” And we hugged tight, with a knowing that there was something larger than ourselves that brought the four of us together.

Rock fans - Karlee and her dad, Jimmy

I do believe at the last minute, those front-row center seats had our names on them; they were meant for us. And part of the plan was obviously so that we could pass along our other great seats to someone else who really wanted them. Ahhh…perfect!

This fun experience reminded me of several other instances we’ve been blessed to be a part of. And every time I tell the stories, people seem to get emotional. So I decided I’ve got to share a couple of them here.

At concerts, Bill and I magically always get great seats - often times front-row. So many of our friends ask how we do it, and I’m going to save that topic for a separate post. But in the meantime, what we’ve seen unfold has to do with: 1) Trust, 2) Divine timing, and 3) Connection. Here goes…

–Sioux City, Iowa–

Bill and I had great seats to see Neil Diamond (my favorite!). When we were in the hotel room getting ready, Bill put on his Hawaiian “front-row” shirt and we headed out for the evening. Before we left, we did our customary intention-setting for the evening. We talked about how we were delighted with our tickets…but, if it was in everyone’s best interest - we would love front-row seats! An opportunity to mirror back to Neil all of the joy that he gives to us.

We went out to dinner and leisurely chatted with fans and met the locals. Afterwards, we slowly walked over to the arena in the hot summer sun, and just for fun I went to the box office and asked if any excellent seats opened up. Whadda ya know? Two tickets: FRONT-ROW CENTER. Two open seats were there just for us! Crazy. But then again, not really. This stuff happens over and over for us.

Of course we grabbed them.

And then we had to quickly sell our other tickets before we went in, since it was almost show-time. But, we couldn’t find one person who wanted to buy them – everyone was already set for the night.

I was beside myself. Caught up in the enthusiasm of getting front-row seats, I found myself stuck with spending a lot more money than we had planned on.

A shift in perspective

Here’s what I love about Bill. He had a strong feeling that we should go inside the arena and find two huge fans who had far away seats. And then make their day. 

Brilliant. Total shift in perspective.

We went up high in the arena and started asking people if they would like to sit in the third-row. Can you believe that we were met with “No thanks” and many others whose eyes quickly darted away as though we were trying to scam them?

Once again, I was completely bummed out. It was so important to me to find someone who truly cared and really appreciated being up close. Just then, I was strongly moved to go up to two women standing together and asked them on a scale of 1-10 how big of fans they were. They shouted “Oh my god – a 10!” They were really pumped up and told us how excited they were, but disappointed to be sitting so far from the stage. They said they splurged but could only afford the ‘nosebleed’ seats. 

I think I found my people.

We asked if they would like to sit in the third-row instead. When they realized we were serious (and there would be no cost for the tickets), they started crying and hugging us, and then we started crying, too. Such genuine appreciation and gratitude. They asked what they could give us and our answer: “Please just pay it forward.”

So they did! They called some relatives who were visiting from out-of-town and told them to come and use their tickets. The relatives were elated!

Thinking back, I was uneasy because we were spending way more money that night than we had ever imagined. But the return was ten-fold. It was one of the biggest highs I have ever experienced! You certainly can’t put a price on that.

The whole experience had to do with trusting that we would divinely connect with just the right people at just the right time. And we did.

Barb and Nancy from Iowa

Bill and I had an incredible night with Neil and his band, and it was a thrill to watch our new friends rock out from the third-row. We certainly did get to mirror all of our joy right back to Neil! That was the night when one of the local radio station guys came up to us afterwards and said, “I saw you guys up front. You two were the happiest mother f’ers in the entire building!” It’s true. We were on our feet and dancing the entire time. One of our many life highlights.

The next morning I remembered that my vision board at home included the words: “Front-row center” and “Road trip,” and also had a picture of Neil Diamond. Hmmmm…

–Madison Square Garden, New York City–

Coincidentally (or not), my cousin was getting married in New York the same weekend that Neil Diamond was playing at Madison Square Garden four nights in a row! That entire experience deserves a blog post all on its own. Stay tuned – I’ll work on that one, too!

Me, en route to Madison Square Garden, bubbling over with enthusiasm!

The bottom-line is this. We had great seats for one of the shows. But in “Michelle and Bill” fashion, at the last-minute we scored front-row tickets…again. Oh man, we had already spent a ton of money just being in New York, and I was really anxious to get our original tickets sold as soon as possible.

Then Bill and I remembered the tremendous joy we experienced earlier that year in Sioux City.

So I took a deep breath, and we did it again.

We went inside the arena and way high-up to the top of the world-renowned “Garden.” What a cool view from up there! But then I got lost in my head again, especially when we tried to give the tickets away to several pairs of unsuspecting fans. They didn’t want them. They thought there were strings attached. They walked away. Huh? I was getting nervous because it was getting close to show-time. I had to go to the bathroom before we took our seats. I wanted to grab a drink. Time was of the essence!

Trusting in divine connection

I was just about in tears when Bill intervened, once again. “Just trust that we will find the right people who will love these seats. Just trust.”

As soon as he finished uttering those words, all of a sudden from around the corner – paraded two women, arm-in-arm, skipping and singing “Sweet Caroline.”

I knew I had found my targets.

They skipped right in front of us and I yelled “WAIT!” The two smiley and giddy women stopped in their tracks, and I asked if they were there on their own and where they were sitting. Just then Bill flashed the third-row tickets and asked if they would like to have them.

The look on their faces was priceless. And that moment is etched forever in my mind. I started to cry and they both hugged me. “Why are you crying, Honey?” they asked. Then, they looked at Bill, hugged me again and asked, “Why is she crying?”

We passed the tickets along to them and then the four of us proudly made our way down to the front together. The two immediately made calls on their cell phones, and just hearing their enthusiasm about their new seats was worth multitudes more than we had paid that night.

At that night’s show a DVD was being filmed. Bill and I were thrilled when it came out the next year and we saw our two new friends jumping up and down in the crowd! They screamed the entire night. It was glorious. And they were part of the reason that Neil kept coming over to our side of the stage and indulging all of us.

The two women said the night for them was life-changing. They both had had a tough couple of years with health and family problems. And they said that night gave them a renewed energy and a positive outlook on life and was just the medicine they needed.

Again, we could have lamented the fact that we paid a small fortune for those third-row seats, only to give them away. But instead, we really only paid a small price for a concert experience of a lifetime – one that still gives us goosebumps years later.

With Bill leading the way earlier that night, we trusted. The right people came skipping along at just the right time. It was a divine connection along our path. And now we just happen to be blessed with two new wonderful east-coast friends for life.

Laura and Kathy, our New York buddies on vacation

There are many other stories to tell like the ones shared here, but these are the ones that stand out for me.

In thinking back to the Robert Plant concert, it shouldn’t have been a surprise to us that our ticket experience went so smoothly, since this same scenario has played out for us so many other times in the past. We never ”expect” this type of magic to happen, but we always remain open to the possibilities.

Or maybe we do expect magic. Just not at any particular time or place – leaving it up to the universe to surprise us in the most wonderful way. It sure is a thrill when these synchronicities and moments of serendipity land in our path when we least expect it!

Bill and I have seen so many magical things happen, right before our eyes. The kind of stuff that doesn’t logically make sense; the kind of stuff you could never predict or orchestrate yourself. Part of our quest in life is that we want others to understand and believe this can happen to them, too. How gratifying for us to have the privilege – in some small way - of playing a part in a magical life-moment for others. It’s following our joy in the purest sense.

Remember those folks at the arena who said “No thanks” or walked the other way because they thought we were up to no good? They weren’t fully open to receiving in that moment. It’s a good reminder that the magic might be unfolding right in front of you…but the only way you can see it is if you’re open to letting it in.

The one thing I didn’t mention in that post, though, was about all the “stuff” we accumulated in the gigantic basement of that dream house. When you have the space, it’s easy to fill it. So that’s what we did.

The stuff I had been storing in my grandma’s basement for years naturally ended up in our new house. And Bill’s parents were delighted to give him back all of his childhood things in various boxes since we had the new space. No problem, though. We shoved it all downstairs where we never saw it and didn’t even give it a second thought.

But, when we sold our big house and downsized into a townhome, we had no storage. What to do? We knew we weren’t emotionally ready to deal with all the boxes, and we reluctantly paid for a large storage locker at a nearby facility. Once we moved in to our new townhome, the plan was to slowly go through the locker and sell, toss, or donate most of everything. And of course keep a few things we couldn’t part with.

Can you say “overwhelming”?

Here’s an excerpt from a popular article I wrote several years ago – about my own personal journey – which was published in various magazines titled “I Am Free.” See if you find any similarities in your own story.

* * * * *

“I Am Free” by Michelle Stimpson, 2005

I did it. It’s done. I can finally move forward. I am free.

Over the last year, I have slowly tackled my past. I had intense counseling, important conversations with loved ones, powerful coaching, and I did some deep reflecting and journaling. But what put the icing on the cake was dealing with the last of the physical clutter and “stuff” that had been like a dark cloud looming over my head for years.

I saved everything from high school and college; I didn’t really have a home-base during many of those years, so everything went into a box. The boxes were filled with letters, cards, papers, notebooks, and all kinds of correspondence from a variety of sources and people. These papers and ‘things’ had been unknowingly holding me back from moving forward in my life.

So my boxes of stuff moved with me from place to place. Some of them were even musty and moldy from being stored in various basements. Too much energy was spent hauling them around and worrying about them. There wasn’t really even much “life” to these boxes…it was just stale energy. But, after dealing with several major life transitions, I was finally ready to confront the boxes head-on.

Because there were thousands upon thousands of things to look at and go through, I was totally overwhelmed. Then I listened to my gut and began to realize that I didn’t need or want to go through everything. After all, if these boxes had been lost or destroyed, I wouldn’t have even known the difference! Can you believe that when the storage manager showed us their great sprinkler system in case of fire, she told us that most people say they wouldn’t mind if the place burned down and their stuff was destroyed?

That spoke volumes to me.

So I glazed through the contents at a pace that felt comfortable. There were select things that I gave special attention to and set aside; some things made me laugh, some things left me disgusted, and other things brought me tremendous joy. Some things I didn’t remember and had no idea where they came from. Much of it all went right in the trash pile.

Before dumping a lot of this stuff, though, I felt a need to put together a general “summary” of my past. It was important to me to make note of certain things and either reflect on them some more, take a picture to hold onto, or share them with Bill or other loved family member or friend. I did some intense journaling of what I learned while sifting through my past, which felt good.

After the exhausting task of finishing up the boxes and getting things ready for our symbolic drive to the local dump, I was compelled to share my story with some of the key people in my life. So, I called my mom. I shared a journal entry with my grandma that I wrote about her in college. I wrote out a card to my Aunt and Godmother, Jane. I sent notes to my friends. I set aside a stack of campus memories for my dearly loved college roommate, Jill, and me to laugh through together. 

And, I pulled out a few things that I really wanted to share with Bill who knows me so intimately. I wanted him to know me even more, and I’m glad I made it a priority. We sat by the fire and talked about all of my findings and learnings, and he so eagerly and patiently listened to my stories. He was so interested and was so fully present. I felt important, I felt valued, I felt like I counted. I set aside a pile of things to show him which included a childhood locket with my hamster’s picture, a eulogy I wrote when a dear friend died, a family tree project, a speech I wrote in high school, and a touching letter from my grandpa.

It felt great to formally come to terms with my past. This was way bigger than just throwing away a bunch of boxes. It was so much more than that. It was about me recognizing my past, embracing it, loving it, and being done with it.

I can’t believe how much lighter I feel. 

Working on my boxes came at a point when I was ready, and I couldn’t have done it one moment earlier. And getting rid of the clutter in my life that has held me back for so long is certainly an ongoing process.

But in letting go of all of it, I am now able to fully focus on the things that matter most to me. I am truly at peace and living the life that is right for me. I now have the “space” in my life to be me and to move forward – both literally and figuratively. 

When you’re ready, you’re ready. And the universe opens up to you in a whole new way with a set of special messages just for you. Yesterday morning, a dear friend sent along a quote by Sandra Sharpe that she probably had no idea I was waiting for.  It reads: “What do you pack to pursue a dream and what do you leave behind?”

* * * * *

What do you think?

I decided to publish this article on the blog because so many of my clients talk about how clutter has impacted their lives. There seems to be a strong relationship between our “stuff” and our “selves”. Often times, it’s difficult to move forward in life until you’ve dealt with your stuff – both physically and emotionally. And of course, that’s where I come in as a Coach. :)

If you could use some objective professional support in clearing out and paving the way, I hope you’ll check out LifeShine!

Lightening your load frees you up to be able to fully embrace the things in life that bring you joy. I can’t think of a better time to start than now. Why wait?

“There’s no way we can move. We said we’d live here forever.” Those were the first words Bill and I uttered when we pondered the idea of letting go of our dream home eight years ago. At the time, we had only been in our beautiful home for two-and-a-half years. And it was truly our dream home. We custom-built the entire thing to completely reflect us and our lifestyle – both individually and as a couple. It was the perfect Minneapolis suburb retreat, tucked in a wooded setting with mature trees, wildlife, and ultimate privacy.

This rare find was thanks to a sweet elderly couple whose home was on a large piece of land, and they decided to subdivide their lot into two. We were the privileged ones who found the other half and bought it.

And it was there that we built our dream home.

A perfect spot for us

Our side of the street was a quiet curve of four homes built in 1948, and all the original owners still lived there – the Swansons, the Emersons, the Bensons, and the Olsons. We – the Stimpsons – fit right in! They all loved the idea of having a new young couple move into the neighborhood, and they took such great care of us.

While our house was being built, there was a constant stream of neighborhood ladies bringing cookies and lemonade over to the construction workers. And the two neighborhood men who were still living – proud World War II veterans – oversaw the digging, excavating, and building. For six months, these folks had an exciting event going on in their neighborhood every day!

The house we built was perfect for us. Here’s an excerpt from an annual New Year letter we sent to friends and family the year we moved in:

“Highlights in our new retreat include some of life’s simple pleasures: Watching deer and other wildlife roam through our backyard (including the albino squirrel we named ‘Alabaster’), weekend candlelight dinners with wine and smooth jazz, whirlpool baths for Michelle with nighttime starlight, and naps in the sunroom for Bill. We love our cozy abode more than we could have ever imagined and feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful place to call home.”

Talk about following your joy. We were doing it. And really, we thought we’d retire there.

Mischievous "Alabaster"

Rabbit lounging on a Saturday morning

One of the many deer who came for a visit

King of the neighborhood: "Big Red"

Our favorite black-socked fox

But something wasn’t quite right

Saturdays and Sundays included caring for the home and the large yard and extended driveway. Bill would be outside for hours whether it included mowing, snowblowing, raking leaves, or other house maintenance ‘stuff.’ And while he enjoyed it, it also took us away from being the independent couple we loved to be…and being able to head out on a whim for the day to enjoy our city.

And the amount we were paying for our mortgage and upkeep was taking us away from our ultimate dream of regular vacations and adventures and going back to school and starting our own business. We both felt locked into corporate jobs we held, and yet that wasn’t what either of us saw for our future.

I’ll never forget what I learned – and then taught – in the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People workshop: When you say “no” to one thing, you’re actually saying “yes” to something else, and vice versa. So, by saying “yes” to the house and that lifestyle, we were essentially saying “no” to what was even more important – starting our business, traveling and adventuring, living as an independent couple without being tied down.

Shifting perspectives

So while at first we thought there was “no way” we could ever move…we began to realize that our dream might start to look different. And that was okay. Yes, the dream of that home and the setting was perfect for us. And at the same time, though, we were ready to move on and create a new dream.

We put so much love and care into that home. And Bill finished the lower level complete with a home gym, kick-ass bar, home theater, and corner fireplace.

And then we sold it.

The most wonderful couple bought the home, and we knew they would love it just as much as we did.

Moving toward a new dream

We ended up downsizing, got rid of a ton of stuff, sold our boat and all kinds of “things,” and moved into a beautiful new townhouse in the next suburb over. We went back to school. I left my corporate job and launched my coaching business. Bill started to look into other pursuits. We taught our first workshop together. We started writing a book. The new dream began to take shape.

So many people cheered us on and also said what courage it took for us to create a new dream for ourselves. I suppose it was courageous, but it never felt like “courage” to us. It was simply about being clear on what we needed – and wanted – to say “yes” to.

Now, we get to say “Yes!” to the lifestyle that truly calls to us. We do several vacations, road trips, and adventures throughout year and come and go as we feel moved. And…I’m coming up on celebrating eight exciting years in business, helping other women live their dream!

I just came across the following year’s annual letter, and here’s the update we gave:

“After much reflection and discussion, we decided to sell our house and buy a townhome. Although our Minnetonka home was absolutely perfect for us, it no longer seemed to fit in with our plans. Saving time and money by moving to a maintenance-free townhome now allows us to focus on our priorities and enjoy more of the things we love to do. It was quite an emotional move to leave our home, but when the time came, we forged ahead and never looked back. Our new place is perfect for us now in this new phase of life.”

So. That’s how the current dream looks…for now. And at the same time, I also sense a restlessness inside both of us to change things up again and take the dream to the next level. Like everyone else, we’re constantly growing and evolving and changing. A plan that once was a perfect fit needs to be updated, too.

Following your joy includes checking in with yourself and making sure you’re on the right track. If you are, great! If not, it’s important to make the course corrections necessary.

Who knows where our new path will lead? All I know is that we’re excited about our future and see a horizon of possibilities.

Life is good.

Where is it in your own life that you’re ready for a change?

What’s the first step that needs to happen?

As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it so well: “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

For the last few years, our household has been a proud member of Spiritual Cinema Circle. Each month, we get a brand new DVD sent to us with four new spiritual films – they’re movies that inspire us, engage us, and help us connect with the big-picture and the preciousness of life.

All along the way, it’s been a joy to see the Circle’s co-founder, Stephen Simon, discuss the films and engage in conversations with members.

This guy is absolutely passionate about what he does! And it’s obvious that he’s doing what he is meant to do. As a filmmaker, writer, and producer – he’s following his joy, big-time. When I first got the idea to start a series of interviews with Joy-Followers, I knew I wanted to talk to Stephen. And was I delighted that he agreed!

In addition to being the co-founder of Spiritual Cinema Circle, he’s the author of Bringing Back the Old Hollywood and the producer of two films that grabbed my heart: Somewhere In Time and What Dreams May Come.

I’m excited to introduce a man I truly admire: Stephen Simon!

Michelle: Stephen, you are someone who’s so passionate about life. What is it that makes you come alive?

Stephen: First and foremost – my family. I have an incredibly close family, and I’m a very lucky man. My wife, Lauren – who’s the love of my life, my best friend, and my collaborator – and I have both been married before, and we combined our families with magical results. I have never been this happy or this content or had this much joy in my life. And I’m 64 years-old! Without my family, I don’t think anything else is nearly as important. On their deathbed, no one ever said they wished they had spent more time at the office.

The Simon family on Mackinac Island

Michelle: How cool. I can literally feel your gratitude.

Stephen: Next, it’s movies. They’re a part of my soul, my bloodstream, my DNA. Having been born into an old Hollywood family, I believe I was destined to be a filmmaker. My dad was a producer/director in the 1940’s. He made movies with Abbott and Costello, Lana Turner, Lucille Ball, and his best friend Red Skelton. And he was responsible for getting Frank Sinatra back into the movie business with From Here to Eternity. That also led Frank to becoming my “godfather.” I talk about that in Bringing Back The Old Hollywood. I grew up with Milton Berle, Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Abbott and Costello, and the Marx Brothers – in our home all the time!

So, movies have always been a deep part of my soul. The films that always attracted me were ones that looked at our humanity – as to who we could be when we operate at our very best. It’s a Wonderful Life, for example; all of Frank Capra’s films. That has been a part of my chemistry since the day I was born, and I’m sure it will be a part of my chemistry until the day I die. George Burns had this wonderful answer as he performed into his late 90’s, when asked: “What is the secret to living a long life?” He always said the same four words: “Love what you do.”

I love what I do.

"Somewhere In Time" Producer Stephen with Associate Producer Stephen Bickel

Michelle: How wonderful that you’ve always known this all along.

Stephen: Yes, I feel blessed that I knew what my passion was from a very young age. I’m a recovering lawyer, so to speak, and I worked in politics for a while, but I always knew I was going to be a filmmaker. As I mentioned, I grew up with a filmmaker as my dad. Unfortunately, my dad died very suddenly just before my fifth birthday, but my mother rather quickly remarried another film producer. This is why I’ve written Bringing Back the Old Hollywood. My wife has been very encouraging and insistent that I write down all these stories of what it was like to grow up with Frank Sinatra as my godfather and being a part of that whole world.

So, Bringing Back the Old Hollywood and Spiritual Cinema Circle are the focuses of my life.

Michelle: How is it, then, that you wish to impact the world?

Stephen: Movies are still a relatively new art form – they’ve only been around about a hundred years. I grew up on them, and I don’t want to see them disappear. For a lot of different reasons, independent filmmaking is on the verge of extinction right now. That’s why we formed theoldhollywood.com, so as a community – we can get together and prevent that. Part of my focus is making sure we don’t lose this.

People are looking for films that make them feel better about being human. And that is the goal of Spiritual Cinema Circle.

Michelle: Spiritual Cinema Circle is filled with big-impact films. For Bill and me, it’s a great vehicle to help us connect to the important things in life…in an entertaining way. At end of each film, we often say: “Everyone should know about this one!”

How would you say that your life is impacted by you following your joy and doing what makes you come alive?

Stephen: I look forward to getting up every morning and being able to do what I get to do that day. It’s a great gift, and I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for that. It gives me great joy to get feedback from people who say, “I miss the old Hollywood and those great old movies; I’m so glad you’ve written the book and are bringing them back.” That’s very impactful for me.

"Bringing Back the Old Hollywood" book signing at The Grand Hotel

Also, it’s incredibly gratifying when people become subscribers to Spiritual Cinema Circle and love it and it means a lot to them. In particular, when a subscriber or someone close to them is going through a particular challenge in life. I’ll get emails saying, “My friend was going through a difficult situation and I remembered that last year there was a short film in the Circle that dealt with something similar. So I had my friend over to watch the film and it made such an impact on their life.” I love that, and it’s very much why Gay Hendricks and I came up with the concept for Spiritual Cinema Circle.

We wanted it to be a community where you get to keep the films every month and have them on your shelf. And then you have a library of films to share with friends who are going through particular experiences. We’ve distributed over 350 films since we started, and the films run the gamut of most of the human emotions people have. Once in a while we’ll see something completely new, completely different, completely original, and I think to myself: “Oh wow – wait until our community sees this!”

Michelle: That must so be fun for you!

Stephen: It’s great fun. And as you know, each month I have a subscriber and filmmaker with me during the discussion of each film. It’s fun to connect with a subscriber who has their own experience about how they look at films and talk with a filmmaker about what the films mean to them.

These movies demand a conversation.

Michelle: Yes, Bill and I always sit quietly at the end of each film and engage in rich and meaningful discussion about things like our childhood experiences, our beliefs, and our values.

So, what is it that keeps you motivated and moving forward?

Stephen: I’m made very aware by our community members about how much these films mean, and it’s a source of great joy for me because that is really what I set out to do. To create communities where people feel like their desires are being met. They’re looking for a particular kind of entertainment that they can’t get someplace else. That’s just great fun!

It’s difficult to be good at something that you don’t love, especially if it comes in a creative way. I have come to trust my instincts.

As someone wrote on the Spiritual Cinema Circle Facebook page: “You have to be yourself because everybody else is taken.” It’s a great line and it’s really true because you just have to follow your heart.

Michelle: Who inspires you or serves as a role model?

Stephen: The biggest inspiration in my life is my wife, Lauren. I’ve never had a connection with a human being where I felt so ‘known,’ understood, and loved…as I do with her. She is the most loving person, and I see how she operates with our combined family of six kids – most of them are adults – and a grandchild, and she is the matriarch of our family. I see how much love and attention Lauren puts into everything she does, every day. She is definitely my inspiration every day. And this love came late in my life – I didn’t meet Lauren until I was 57.

Lauren & Stephen at the "Somewhere In Time" plaque, Mackinac Island

Out in the world, it’s Richard Matheson, who wrote the novel and screenplay for Somewhere In Time and the novel upon which What Dreams May Come is based. He was my first spiritual mentor and is still writing well into his 80’s. I love him dearly and he inspires me constantly.

My business partner, Gay Hendricks, is a constant inspiration to me, too. Gay actually came up with the initial idea for Spiritual Cinema Circle. Working with him, learning from him, are great joys in my life.

And filmmakers that I see making extraordinary movies. I’ve been inspired recently by Tom Hooper, the [now Oscar-winning!] director of The King’s Speech and John Adams, the great HBO miniseries. I love seeing incredibly talented people that are putting their talents to the use of the uplifting of humanity.

Michelle: Personally, I enjoy hearing about the people who inspire me, like you, tell me who inspires them!

To summarize, are there any words of wisdom you’d like to leave our readers with?

Stephen: Yes! I think it’s a really important time for all of us to be embracing our passion. When you find your passion and you declare it in the world, the universe will say “Are you really sure?” And a lot of challenges will come up.

It’s important for everyone to never be intimidated and never allow anybody to tell you that you can’t. If you have something that is a deep passion, then that is what you brought to this life to do. If you deny it, you cause yourself a lot of pain. Your soul really wants you to embrace your passion – as long as it’s a passion that’s positive.

If you’ve always had a passion about something (writing or cooking, for example) – if you declare yourself like that and you stick to it, then the universe finds a way of embracing you and allowing you to go out into the world to do what you want to do. That’s more important than anything else. Don’t let anybody ever say no. And never ever, ever give up!

There’s an incredible new documentary called Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. At 75, Joan Rivers is still out there, constantly in motion, and doing what she loves. In the film, her manager, Larry Thompson, says of her:

“To get struck by lightning, you have to be willing to stand out in the rain. And I’ve never known anybody in my life who is more willing to stand out in the rain than Joan Rivers. She’ll stand there and stand there and get drenched and whatever because she knows that lightning has hit her before and it’s going to hit her again.”

I’m so inspired by Joan’s constant desire to reinvent herself and to keep going and to keep making people laugh.

This is what I want to urge people to feel in their heart.

Of course, I live near Portland, Oregon, so standing out in the rain is a lot easier here than most places. Seriously, I wish everyone the passion and love and commitment to stand out in the rain when we need to.

And then of course we see the rainbows…

* * * * *

Michelle’s final thoughts: Can you just feel Stephen’s passion and enthusiasm for what he does in life? I, for one, love to surround myself with people who are like Stephen – alive. You can engage more of his passion at TheOldHollywood.com and SpiritualCinemacircle.com, and be sure to also check out his favorite films of 2010!

Thank you, Stephen, for inspiring us all.

Welcome to the biggest gap between posts since this blog started almost two years ago. It’s not because I haven’t written; I have. Over this past month I’d force myself to write a post and reluctantly toss it on my editor’s desk (Bill), mumbling under my breath: “Good luck with this one.” And later he’d come back at me with, “Um, I like it, but it’s very confusing.”

I know, I know. Forcing yourself to write isn’t good. And it’s not fun. So I finally decided to just drop it and wait until the time was right.

Here’s where my heart and soul have been this past month: Bill’s father, Larry, has been in the intensive care unit in the hospital, following a myriad of health issues. I’m a big believer in being fully present with whatever you’re doing, wherever you are. So, my father-in-law’s situation became the number-one issue that occupied my brain.

There have been many times throughout the last month where I’d sit in his room in silence. Or in the hospital chapel, staring at the water fountain. Often times at home, Bill and I would sit together on the couch and say nothing at all.

I cancelled several meetings and coaching sessions – and said ‘no’ to many invitations – so I could be available. Available to visit Larry in the hospital. Available to sit and visit with my sweet mother-in-law, Marlene. Or available to have lunch with Bill to just “be” with him during the day. It reminds me of a year ago, being in this same spot in life.

Intense focus

I’m not a multi-tasker, and I only advocate doing its opposite. Even though I had plenty of time over the past month to write, I had zero interest or energy in writing. When I tried to force it, I hated everything I wrote and it never made sense. So even though I previously committed to writing a few blog posts each month, I realized it’s not always going to work out that way. Life happens.

As they say, I was taking my time to “stop and smell the roses.” And I wanted nothing else to take its place.

In fact, every time I left the hospital, I stopped to admire the big bouquet of roses in the lobby. The sign underneath noted that the flowers were in appreciation of the staff who provided “exquisite care to patients and their families every day.” Amen. I witnessed extreme human care taking place 24/7 in that building. Sometimes the gentleness of the care moved me to tears.

So, this past month I put a lot of stuff on hold. And there was simply no space in my soul for writing.

Until this past weekend.

That’s when I wrote a little talk I gave at my father-in-law’s funeral.

Larry took his last breaths with 16 members of his family completely surrounding him in a blanket of love. I’ve never experienced anything so poignant and powerful. Nor have I been in a setting like that where it felt like such a sincere privilege to be included.

Sheer gratitude

When I married into Bill’s family, I hit the jackpot. I gained an additional set of loving parents, two fantastic sisters, nieces and nephews I adore, and aunts and uncles and cousins I think the world of. So in that moment at Larry’s bedside, the gratitude and love was overflowing…as I witnessed the patriarch of the family slowly transition into his place in heaven.

The past week has been incredibly intense. Emotional and difficult, yet peaceful and wonderful.

After Larry’s passing, the writing flowed and it felt like such a joy to put my thoughts down on paper. It was the perfect example of going with the flow and knowing when the timing is right…to write.

Here’s a brief excerpt of what I wrote and shared during the memorial service:

My favorite part about Larry and Marlene was the way they raised my sweet Bill to be the man that he is today. Together, they stood as models for living a full life, serving others, and doing whatever it is in life that needs to be done…while nurturing a charming couplehood all along the way.

By example, Larry showed Bill what it means to be a “real” man. To be soft, sensitive, caring, gracious, appreciative, gentle, loving, loyal, and to be able to do anything…from building a deck and fixing a car, to cooking a fantastic meal and ironing shirts. And for the model that Larry was to Bill – particularly in the way of being a devoted husband who cherished his wife and put her above all else – I am forever grateful.

I remember when Bill and I had our first apartment, and there was a time when we both came down with a terrible flu. We were sitting at the table, looking at each other, unable to move, not knowing what to do. Just then, there was a soft knock at the door. It was Larry, standing there with a smile and a pot full of homemade chicken noodle soup.

This is the stuff I’m talking about.

I’ll never forget backing out of the driveway the morning of the funeral. Just then, John Lennon’s “Imagine” started playing. I don’t think Bill and I said a word to each other for the remaining half-hour drive.

The funeral service for Larry was amazing…so much love from family and special friends. What a reminder to me of how blessed I am to be part of such a loving family.

Deep sadness and joy all at the same time.

What to do next?

That night after everything was over, Bill and I had tickets for a concert we had almost forgotten about in the frenzy of it all. Naturally, I figured we wouldn’t possibly go to a concert on the day of the funeral and dismissed the idea. But then I glanced at Bill and saw him smile and say, “Dad would love it if we went.” I knew exactly what he meant. Live music that we love fills our hearts and brings us tremendous joy.

Why not immerse ourselves in a celebration of life?

The more we talked about it, the more “right” it felt. It almost seemed as though we couldn’t not do it.

So, after carrying everything out of the church, we headed home and changed out of our dress clothes. Then we headed downtown. We stopped in a bar before the show and toasted to Bill’s dad through our tears. At the concert, we were right up in front – center stage – and stood up for much of the show and cheered extra loud.

The last “get fired up” encore song will be etched in my memory forever. That moment was a powerful reminder that life is to be celebrated. With all your being.

I don’t know that I ever danced like I did that night. It was one of those “dance like no one is watching” moments; it was the essence of being alive. I was filled with tremendous joy.

The sacredness and preciousness of life filled me to the top, as 2,000 other concertgoers were up on their feet behind us, dancing and celebrating life with us. Total goosebumps.

My joy partner was right next to me, smiling and dancing his butt off, too. Tears filled my eyes. I was grateful to be alive.

We were definitely “smelling the roses,” so to speak.

And I know that Bill’s dad was smiling with us.

If Marci Shimoff’s name sounds familiar to you, it should! She’s the New York Times best-selling author of Happy for No Reason, as well as co-author of six books in the phenomenally popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Her books have sold more than 14 million copies worldwide in 31 languages. Wow! She’s also a featured teacher in the hit film, The Secret. Special thanks to Arielle Ford for introducing me to yet another bright Joy-Follower.

Marci is currently launching a brand new book called Love for No Reason, which offers a step-by-step program for us to live in a state of unconditional love every day of our lives. The more I live my life, the more I realize the importance of love as the foundation – so Marci’s important work has certainly caught my attention. I just started diving into her book, hot-off-the press, and wholeheartedly recommend it!

Just as I would have guessed, my conversation with Marci was enlightening, engaging, inspiring – and her spirit is full of aliveness and energy. She’s the kind of woman you just want to “be around.”

So I’m delighted to introduce a bright light and special friend – Marci Shimoff.

* * * * *

Michelle: Your work is centered around happiness and love. So, what is it that makes you come alive?

Marci: Professionally, my purpose is to help people experience a life of happiness and deep true love, inner love. It’s the thing that I most wanted in life and I believe it’s what we all want – to experience a freedom of love, joy, and an open heart; a life that’s fulfilling.

Personally, it’s living in that way as much as possible! Doing what sings to my heart – for me that’s being in nature, spending time with wonderful friends and family, doing spiritual practices, dancing, moving my body, and experiencing joy on all levels…from the body to the heart to the mind to the soul.

Near Hana, Hawaii

Michelle: We’re good at wanting to overcomplicate life; but listening to you reminds me of how basic life really is.

Marci: What I’ve found is that my heart is the essence to living a life of joy, and as a society we spend so much time living in our heads. Our minds are very good servants but not the masters. I’ve been practicing these tools that I’ve learned, to live with a more open heart, and they really work. We live in a very exciting time – a time when there are all kinds of tools available to us that help us move through our blocks and open us to experiencing the truth of who we are. I go out and collect all these tools and try them out and use the ones that work, and then I share those.

Michelle: I occasionally get overwhelmed with all the tools and resources out there; how do you know which ones to gravitate toward?

Marci: Well, there are different tools that work at different times. One day I’ll find that the one that is really going to work for me is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and another time what’s going to work for me is the Sedona Method. And then another time it’s just about stopping and asking myself the simple question: “What’s the most loving thing I could do for myself right now?”

Michelle: Interesting. I can get ‘locked’ into a certain way of doing things because I said I was going to do them that way. I like the idea of giving yourself the freedom to go with what feels right in the moment.

Marci: The best strategy is to have a number of tools in your toolbox. What I love is that they don’t take a lot of time. A couple minutes can shift your whole energy. If you do that a few times throughout the day, you make a huge change with small practices.

Most importantly, have a clear intention for how you want to live. When I wrote Happy for No Reason, I found that so many people wait around for life to change for them to be happier (“I’ll be happier when I…have a better job, lose 20 pounds,” etc.).

The truth is that happiness is a habit. And we can have a lot of power over creating a much happier life for ourselves. The same is true for love. Most people wait around for love to happen to them. That is the opposite of how it really is! You can practice living in a state of unconditional love. These simple practices that I talk about in Love for No Reason are things that will help you feel as though you’re in love all the time, whether or not you have the perfect relationship.

Michelle: What a gift we each have – so many of us don’t realize we all have that power right within us.

Marci: I’ve traveled all over the world and have found that what people most deeply crave is to live a life where their hearts are free and open; where they feel gratitude and feel connected with others.

Canoeing trip with friends of the Transformational Leadership Council

When we feel connected to others, to nature, to life – there’s a certain vitality and aliveness and ability to enjoy that is palpable.

Michelle: That’s truly living!

Marci: Yes, it’s what life is all about. If you ask people who have had near-death experiences what they’ve learned, many say that we have a final exam and the one question we’re asked is: “How much did you expand your ability to love?”

Why not learn that now? Don’t wait for the final exam and cram for it! Practice that ability to live in a more open state of love no matter what’s going on in your life, and then your life changes. The outside changes because when you vibrate at the energy of love – the highest energetic vibration on the planet – magic happens in your life.

Michelle: Personally, in your own life, how do you know when you’re following your joy; what’s different in your life?

Marci: When you experience Love for No Reason, you know it. You can feel it. There’s a great questionnaire in my book to help you see how much you are living in that state. I interviewed 150 Love Luminaries – people who are living in this state of love that doesn’t depend on “circumstances.” Here are some of the qualities that they reflected; they:

–Are fully present in the moment
–Feel a sense of oneness and connection to all people and nature
–Trust they are supported by a friendly universe
–Live in the flow of their feelings
–Experience physical vitality
–Feel empowered without ego
–Are equally comfortable giving and receiving love
–Are compassionate and nonjudgmental toward themselves and others
–Feel a universal love flowing through them

There are 14 Love Keys that will help us access this state. I recommend that people practice one of those Love Keys each week. And within a very short period of time, they will experience their life transformed.

Michelle: What keeps you on-track so that you’re always coming from this place of unconditional love?

Marci: The intention I set. We’re at the beginning of the New Year, and my suggestion is that everyone pick a theme for the New Year. I think the most wonderful theme for this year is the theme of love, unconditional love. It keeps your attention focused on that as your number-one priority for the year.

The second step is to pick something to practice every week that moves you in that direction of more love and expansion. So for example, one week it might be focusing on your vitality. Another week it may be practicing self-love. Next week it might be to create a sense of safety in your life.

Michelle: It seems as though once we tap into this state of unconditional love, everything else falls into place and life becomes easier.

Marci: This experience of living with love is the one thing that changes everything.

You know how you feel when you first fall in love? And the traffic on the road doesn’t bother you because you’re singing in the car? Or the person in the grocery store line in front of you doesn’t annoy you and you see only their positive qualities, not how slow they’re going? It’s because your world has been colored by how you’re experiencing love.

So imagine what it would be like if you were feeling that way all the time! And that’s what I’m talking about so that you have that feeling of being in love…but it’s being in love with life.

Interviewed on the red carpet at an L.A. event

Michelle: That reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by Arthur Rubinstein: “If you love life, life will love you back.”

Marci: I love that one! I’m writing that down – I wish I would have had it for my book! One of my favorites is by Emmet Fox: “If only you could love enough, you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the universe.”

Michelle: Very powerful. All of this talk about “love” is reminding me, too, of a statement I often post on Twitter: “Always come from a place of love. Always.”

Marci: And this is not a “Hollywood” or “Hallmark card” type of love we’re talking about, either. It isn’t just some airy-fairy thing. It’s grounded. It’s measurable. There’s a science behind love. When you are experiencing this state of love, you have different biochemicals in your body – more endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin. This is a real physiological state that we’re talking about, and you can train yourself to live in this state of love. In my book, you’ll find all kinds of stories of people who are living in this state

Michelle: What’s the most important suggestion or tip you’d like to leave readers with?

Marci: Here’s a simple technique from the Institute Of HeartMath. The Inner Ease technique – it primes the pump for Love for No Reason:

1) When you feel stressed-out or your heart shuts down, acknowledge that you’re feeling out of sync

2) Take a moment and do heart-focused breathing – put your hand over your heart and pretend that you’re breathing in and out through your heart

3) Imagine that with each breath you’re drawing in a feeling of inner ease and infusing your mind and emotions with that balance and self-love

4) When the stressful feelings have calmed, affirm with a heartfelt commitment that you will anchor that state of ease as you move through the rest of the day, and set the intention

Michelle: Wow, what if we all started out our day like that?!

Marci: I truly believe that the best way we can contribute to our world is through each one of us feeling more joy and love and peace inside ourselves.

Family photo – Marci's last one with her mom (in blue, next to her)

There’s a Chinese proverb that says: “When there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. When there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. When there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. And when there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

So when we all feel that light and love in our own souls, we will create peace here on the planet.

* * * * *

Michelle’s final thoughts: Special thanks to Marci for opening up her heart to share the good news about love with us. I can’t wait to delve deeper into her book, because I don’t know of anything more essential…than to live your life from a state of unconditional love.

I encourage you to buy this important book.

What will your New Year theme be? Cheers to peace on the planet. :)