We’ve all lived through those years in our lives – those golden, razzle-dazzle years when everything seems to come at us in an exhilarating, heady rush. I had one of those years 40 years ago: 1981. To understand why, let me take you back to 1980 and my appointment as a staff writer (under the pen name Betty Page) for Sounds in June of that year. Following that momentous event, I’d quickly … [Read more...] about Why 1981 was my Year for the Ages
My Personal Stories
Dispatches from my ancestral home
I’m sitting on a rough wooden bench looking out at the Worm’s Head, one of the most famous landmarks on the Gower Peninsula. It is looking particularly stunning today, resting underneath a blue sky striped with faint clouds and aircraft trails. It is a distinctive promontory that Queen of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen might have used to demonstrate her power. (I later discovered that the name is … [Read more...] about Dispatches from my ancestral home
Why you have to let the white space speak
A few years ago, I read an interview with one of Obama’s speechwriters. I’ve forgotten their name, but I’ll never forget their quote: “You have to let the white space speak.” It’s a quote I often share with participants in the public speaking trainings I facilitate, to illustrate the value of pacing and pausing, and the fact that the space we put around our words is as important as the words … [Read more...] about Why you have to let the white space speak
How to stop worrying and start living: a tribute to my friend Julia
For most of my adult life - and maybe even before that – I thought of myself as a worrier. Even during periods of my life when things were going smoothly, I used to become suspicious and find something – anything – to worry about. But a couple of things eventually shifted that mindset. One was a quote by the spiritual teacher Ram Dass, who said, “Worrying is like praying for what you don’t … [Read more...] about How to stop worrying and start living: a tribute to my friend Julia
Where did it all begin? And where will it go from here?
I was recently invited by narrative photographer and film-maker Riccardo Sai to discuss origin stories - what they are, how to tell them, and how you can use them to promote your business. You can watch the whole interview below. It has been a while since I tried to tell my own origin story. There's a version on my About Me page - but I think I could improve on it. So I sat down yesterday and … [Read more...] about Where did it all begin? And where will it go from here?
Writing my way out of the fog
"Catch yourself as close to waking as you can," said Julia. "Write three pages of longhand about anything and everything that crosses your mind. As you vent on the page, you become intimate with yourself and your real feelings. Not only sorrows but joys become clear to you." This is Julia Cameron, talking about the Morning Pages tool she first revealed in her most famous book The Artist's Way. … [Read more...] about Writing my way out of the fog