The world didn’t end in 2012, but it left many of us in a
different situation than when the year began.
That’s how it was for me, partly because I was determined to make it a
differenty year, and partly due to some surprises.
To help make this a different year, I worked with a life coach who helped open my mind to new
possibilities and eliminate stumbling blocks in my life. Before long, I felt a shift in my thinking
and how I saw myself.
In March I had my first taste of success as aninspirational speaker when I took Second Place at a regional Toastmasters
International speech. The award was
nice, but the real payoff was having people tell me later how much my story had
touched them.
A few months later I was asked to serve as president of
the local Toastmasters slub. At first I shied away from the idea, but saw how it could help me grow in several ways in addition to speaking.
In May I attended an intense traning for people aspiring
to get high-paying public speaking engagements.
My mind lit up with all the information, ideas, and connections I
made. It was my first time in L.A. and I
had some extra free time to see some of the place. I loved it. Watch out, Los Angeles, I'll be back one day.
But I had a big health flare-up midway through theconference. I got so sick I had to be
taken to the emergency room, where they discovered my blood sugar was through
the roof. I was admitted so they could
run tests on my transplanted pancreas.
It looked fine, but I had several gall stones. The pancreas had just worn out. It was depressing to be hospitalized so far
from home and learn that 14 years of non-diabetic freedom had ended.
I flew home, had my gall bladder removed, and tried to
adjust to being diabetic again. I’m
getting better at it. More about that in
future posts.
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| In September I attended a book marketing seminar in Philadelphia but had time to do a little sightseeing too. |
I attended the 30 year class reunions of both high
schools i attended. It was really tough
changing schools halfway through 11th grade. Seeing both groups of classmates after all
that time helped me put that part of my life in perspective. Time and maturity helped, but doing that at
this stage of the game caused me to edit my memoir and soften the tone in that
section. It also helped me rewrite
history so that several people are better, more likeable people—including me.
My memoir! Ifinally finished it! I started writing
it in 2006 and got sidetracked with some other writing projects and some health
issues like cancer and whatnot. Now it’s
being formatted and will be published soon.
That’s why I expect 2013 to be AT LEAST as transformative
as 2012 was. This will be the year my
life story will be put on display for anyone to read. It will be the year I do paid speaking
engagements. It will be the year I watch
my web site WhatMaesUsStronger.com grow and possibly launch the line of books
related to it.
I’ll be cancer-free two years in early 2013, which means I can get
on the transplant waiting list for a new pancreas.
2013 is the year I expect to come into my own and live up
to my full potential.
Jim, You make my small accomplishments and challenges look like small potatoes. You have clearly grown in strength of will and character through these events. It's a pleasure to know you and read your work and I can't wait to read your memoir. Have a blessed 2013!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kim. I appreciate all the support you and Duke have given me over the years.
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