Remember last week’s gratitude post where I indicated how the power of gratitude should extend to recognizing the success of other people? Well, I’m doing it again this week.
Peter of Iwillchangeyourlife.com is to be congratulated for being selected as the new editor at PickTheBrain. It’s a plum assignment for anyone willing to step up to the plate and carry on the enormous editorial responsibilities for such an awesome blog. Upward and onward to your success Peter!
Around the blogosphere, I’d like to thank:
- Michael of Remarkablogger for inspiring me with his post, Start Video Blogging in Five Easy Steps, because while I plan to buy altogether different equipment, I am finally on the verge of getting a new camcorder because of his encouragement. His article was a direct result of the willingness to listen and respond to his readers. I was the one who asked if he would write an article for scaredy cats like myself who are positively intimidated with the technical aspects of video blogging. Michael’s message was basically, ”Hey, it’s so easy to do a video post - don’t get all worked up over this - you can do it - JUST DO IT!” Thanks to you Michael, I’m very close to making my first video post and the credit is ALL YOURS in infinite glory!
Ever since my interview with John Wesley went live at Adversity University earlier this week, an amazing series of events have unfolded, the likes of which I would never have predicted. Check this out:
A young man named Tejvan Pettinger of Sri Chinmoy left a very nice comment telling me how much he enjoyed my first interview with John. His name was vaguely familiar but I couldn’t quite put my finger on who he was. Grateful for his comment, I visited his blog and roamed around for a bit. Still unsure of why and how I knew his name, I made a mental note to do some more research on this guy.
I had my work cut out for me because on the very next day, I found myself reading 10 Effective Productivity Tips for Writers at PTB.
Guess who the author was?
That’s right, you guessed it - Tejvan. By now my brain was like a beehive, for I knew I was closer to solving the mystery man puzzle. Suddenly I had an idea - I went to the About page at PTB and there he was - officially listed as a regular PTB contributor. Mystery solved.
Okay, here’s another one. Yesterday I was at soupornuts, reading my buddy Chris Melton’s article, Meme: 7 random or weird facts about me, when I noticed his response to a commentator named Peter. Chris was congratulating him for becoming an editor at PTB. Shocked and surprised that I was only “one degree away” from Peter, I fired off a congratulatory email. Interestingly enough, I had also seen Peter’s name floating around the blogosphere for he hosts a well respected blog of his own.
But that’s not all.
Are you sitting down?
Peter is a finance trader - something I used to do during my Wall Street days! What a coincidence.
Finally, one morning I found an email from a woman identifying herself as a meeting planner for a tractor parts organization. They were having a conference this summer and did I want to be their keynote speaker?
Apparently she followed her intuition to check out John Wesley’s blurb about our interview, which led her to discovering that I was a motivational speaker who happened to be deaf from birth.
The funny thing was that John didn’t say much about who I was nor did he say anything about the interview except that readers were invited to come if they were interested. She must have felt an invisible nudge - she came over.
Imagine the look of surprise on her face when she learned more about me.
- This lady once worked for a school for the deaf in Texas many years ago.
- Her boss is currently at Gallaudet University, America’s most famous educational institution for the deaf. (I’m not yet clear how he is affiliated with the university but that’s something I’ll clarify with her in the coming weeks).
Divine intervention? Coincidence? You tell me.
In summary:
- First I submitted a guest article to PTB several months ago.
- Then I interviewed John last week.
- Then I got a nice comment from Tejvan yesterday, not realizing that he was a regular PTB contributor.
- Then I discovered my blogging friend from soupornuts congratulating a commentator (Peter) for becoming editor of PTB.
- Finally I got an email from a meeting planner interested in hiring me as a keynote speaker who once worked at a deaf school years ago. She found me via John’s blurb about our interview. Then of course, there’s her boss’s affiliation with Gallaudet.
My head is spinning in gratitude, let me tell ya!
Okay, moving on, here are a couple other things I’m grateful for this week:
- This winter has been rather lackluster for me physically. I gained 20 pounds over the holidays and had zero desire to workout the last several months. Looking at the mirror everyday has made me acutely aware of the need to exercise, but I’ve paid no heed even though I knew my checking account was automatically being debited every month for the gym. Three days ago, a miracle happened. It was one of those drag-myself-to-the-gym days but suddenly I felt like going back the next day and the day after that and the day after that. Whoa, what was happening? Suddenly I’m motivated to workout again? Where did that come from? Whatever it is, I’m grateful for it because it feels GOOD!
- Never does a day go by that I’m not grateful for people from church who I can call up anytime and say, ”Hey, wanna go to a movie this afternoon?” That’s exactly what I did yesterday. We met at the theatre only to learn that they were not showing a captioned film - they must made an advertising mistake. Not wanting to see a caption-less movie, we walked out and headed to Borders for a gabfest over coffee and a muffin. It was fun!
- I’m thankful that there is a 30-day money back guarantee for this camcorder I’m about to purchase. The store has one of those “return-for-any-reason” policies. Because of that, I’ll have 30 days to play with my new camcorder and if I don’t like it, I can take it back and try something else or get a full refund. YEAH, I’m PSYCHED!
- Check out Liz Fuller’s wonderfully inspiring article, Do You Have What it Takes To Write a Blog? She reminds us that we don’t need to write a masterpiece, be original or be an English professor to write a great blog. Many of us, myself included, stop ourselves short of writing a post because deep inside we think we need to be brilliant or something. Hogwash! Liz of Business and Blogging gently and lovingly encourages us to be ourselves and do the best we can - nothing more and nothing less. Thank you Liz for a gem of an article! It truly reinvigorated me today.
Food for thought: What are you grateful for this week?
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5:36 pm on February 9th, 2008 1
Stephen
Thank you so much for including me in your end of week gratitude post!!
I have been keeping a gratitude journal for years and being grateful is a fundamental cornerstone of who I am - but I have to admit it never crossed my mind to sit down and be consciously grateful for the happiness, success and accomplishments of other people until I read your post from last week.
(I feel so shallow!!)
But now you’ve opened up a whole new viewpoint to me and I feel energized and excited - there’s a whole wide world of new things to be grateful for when you start adding in everyone else’s accomplishments and happiness!!
Thanks a lot!
Liz
Liz Fuller’s last blog post..Business Blog Challange Number Five: An Independent Embalmer and a Funeral Home
7:57 pm on February 9th, 2008 2
Glad to have been a small part of your future success with online video, Stephen. I look forward to your first video post.
Michael Martine’s last blog post..Niche Video Clobbers Competitors: Twice the Traffic
10:12 pm on February 9th, 2008 3
Hi Liz:
You’re welcome and I can feel your excitement rushing through your veins in the newfound idea of not only celebrating your own successes but those of others. Welcome to the gratitude club!
I’ve definitely enjoyed striking up a new friendship with you, thanks to Liz Strauss whose link led me to your site the other day.
They say timing is everything - I truly believe that. It was divine timing for our paths to cross at this time. Thank you for becoming a new part of my community. I hope you continue to enjoy what I have coming down the road - especially my new video posts. I’m SO EXCITED about it.
10:13 pm on February 9th, 2008 4
Michael:
You were a small part of my forthcoming success with video blogging?
Heck, no! You were a HUGE part of it. Your article was the catlyst in helping me take that leap of faith into an entirely new area. Thank you!
I also look forward to my first video post very soon.
12:24 am on February 10th, 2008 5
Hi Stephen
I’m looking forward to your first video post - good luck!
Liz Fuller’s last blog post..Business Blog Challange Number Five: An Independent Embalmer and a Funeral Home
12:39 am on February 10th, 2008 6
Glad you are taking the plunge on the vlogging! So it’ll be ready Monday right! I use a camcorder rather than the webcam, makes me feel better and I can’t get used to that little bitty eye staring at me.
I’ve been thinking about your comment “how the power of gratitude should extend to recognizing the success of other people”. I have been writing those people down and I thank them constantly.
7:06 am on February 10th, 2008 7
Hi Liz:
Thanks for the good wishes with regards to my first foray into video blogging. I’m really excited!
7:11 am on February 10th, 2008 8
Lisa:
I’m glad I’m taking the plunge into vlogging too and you played a part in that because when I visited your site and watched yours, I was inspired. I said to myself, “If Lisa can do it, why can’t I?” Watching yours helped me shred away the last vestige of fear that was wrapped around the idea of dealing with the technical aspects of it.
That’s a funny line - “little little bitty eye staring back at you.” I’m curious - when you do your vlogging, are you using a camcorder with a flip viewer or do you hook yours up to a TV so you can see yourself speaking?
The I will be using by SONY, a pocket-size type with a rotatable viewfinder. It came out on the market last year.
11:25 am on February 10th, 2008 9
I love watching how this is all unfolding for you! And those connections!
Don’t forget to add captions via http://www.overstream.com so that deaf and hard of hearing viewers can enjoy the upcoming videos. I can’t wait to see this new path into video!
I’m saving this post to go back and browse those links. I’m out the door to visit a friend this morning with the kids.
Enjoy church and the gym today!
11:58 am on February 10th, 2008 10
Hey Stephen:
Thanks for turning us on to Michael of Remarkablogger. I just got started with podcasting, and now that you (and Michael) have shown me how eazy-peezy it is to get going with video blogging, I’m now on the case . . . gear ordered and on its way . . . hope to have my first videos recorded and blogged within a couple of weeks.
Sometimes it takes just a push to get me over my techno-phobia, and you did that sir! So, here’s to ya!
Michael Werner’s last blog post..How to Become a Business Consultant
12:53 pm on February 10th, 2008 11
What a great post on gratitude! And what a fabulous week of “good stuff.” I think this can be a “call to action” for each of us to consciously look for and acknowledge all of the people, events, etc. that bless us on our daily journey whether via blogging, thank you notes, or emails. This list shows the power of expressing gratitude and how one door leads to another place and opens another door and so on. It also shows how we are being divinely guided at every point in our lives. Thanks for inspiring me to really be conscious and awake about ALL of the things and people I can be grateful for. When I do get my blog (smiles) I am definitely going to borrow this idea — a great one!
Sharmaine
1:23 pm on February 10th, 2008 12
LOA is always at work…Stephen I am glad to see that you are still active at the gym…great for your body as well as your mind…by the way, you never looked 20 pounds overweight to me! I will have to watch what you order next time we meet at Paneras! Love reading your blog - it keeps me connected and excited for our next meeting!
Shelley’s last blog post..“You Can Do Anything You Want…
2:01 pm on February 10th, 2008 13
Hi Stephen and friends,
I use an analog camcorder on a tripod. It has a flip viewer which I help myself to guide by. It’s funny even on video phone I must see myself in the box. Why can’t I just see the other person in FULL mode, feels funny. A new digital camcorder is on my wish list.
I headed over to Liz’s blog and I’m thrilled. This has come exactly on the day that I said “how should I plan my new business blog”. Template is rarin’ to go. My goal is to have my first post this week.
What a great community of people you’ve shared your Gratitude Week with, I can see why you are grateful.
5:22 pm on February 10th, 2008 14
Hi Lisa!
So you’re using an analog camcorder? Hmm…interesting. I’m guessing you have a coverter to switch from analog to digital, right?
I’m asking because I had a choice between using my old SONY analog camera from the 90’s (which still works) and getting a coverter. But because my old camera has a lot of moving parts, I was leery of spending money on a coverter only to see the old video camera die out.
Rather than taking that chance, I figured I’d get a brand new digitial camera, eliminating the need to covert anything.
I’m THRILLED you went over to Liz’s blog. Isn’t diving timing incredible or what? Her article was exactly what I needed to hear so I figured the readers at AU would appreciate it too, even if they don’t have a blog. Liz’s tips can apply to anything we do. ANYTHING.
Like you and I and many of my other subscribers, I’ve struck up a new friendship with Liz. It’s what makes the AU community so special cuz we connect - I mean really CONNECT.
That’s what I think we got going here. And I’m proud of the community we’ve all built together.
5:25 pm on February 10th, 2008 15
Hi Shelley:
Yes, Law of Attraction at work here - definitely! Thanks for the compliment about me not looking like I’m 20 pounds overweight.
Well, my friend, it’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? I feel fat but you think I look thin. Conversely, I might think you’re thin but you think you’re a tad over the weight range for your height. Get what I mean? LOL
Ok - you got a deal - watch what I order next time we go to Panera Bread for lunch. Har har har har.
Thanks for dropping in - it’s always a pleasure to hear from you.
5:28 pm on February 10th, 2008 16
Sharmaine:
You have the art of gratitude down pat! Doing the weekly gratitude post is obviously not just for my benefit but for yours too because it’s where the source of inspiration can spring from.
As I’m writing the post, I’m reminding my subconscious of the things I have, making it more of a permanent imprint on the brain. When I include other people’s successes on the list, it gives me more hope that I can also achieve the same kind of success. It reminds me what’s possible.
That’s why I love doing it - even when I’m feeling down, the moment my fingers fly across the keyboard on a gratitude post, I start to rise from the ashes of darkness.
You’re more than welcome to “borrow” this gratitude post idea once you get your blog going. We’re looking forward to it.
5:30 pm on February 10th, 2008 17
Michael:
Congratulations!!!! I’m so excited to hear that you’re going to be doing a video post too! Do keep us informed how you’re doing and let us know what equipment you decided to buy. Did you get what Michael of Remarkablogger got? Or did you get something different?
Awesome! When we meet the right people on the Internet, miracles happen. I just bought my camcorder today and so I’m going to be fiddling with it shortly! Whoooooooo.
5:33 pm on February 10th, 2008 18
Karen:
I’m so glad to have you as part of this community. I love how we’ve supported one another throughout our short (very, very short - hehehe) blogging career.
Thanks for alerting me to http://www.overstream.com in regards to captioning my videos. I actually took a look at their site and sent them an email, asking exactly how it works. I have not heard back from them.
Here, let me ask you. Do you know if http://www.overstream.com will caption my YouTube videos for this blog? Tell me how it works and comment back here so everyone can see what you have to say. Not everyone is deaf/hard of hearing but they might be interested in making their blogs more accessible to that market.
4:06 am on February 12th, 2008 19
I’m still amazed at how one event leads to another… to another… and to another, but I’m even more amazed at the gratitude you show for those events happening! It sure got me thinking about what has recently occurred in my life that I’m thankful for.
Today’s the first day I’ve read your blog, but I’m also looking forward to your first video post!
Adrian @ Path to Your Destiny’s last blog post..Solving Problems with a List of 100
6:25 am on February 12th, 2008 20
Adrian:
Welcome, welcome to Adversity University! I’m excited you’re here. I also look forward to giving my first video post. It’s taking a little longer than I expected but it will be here this week.
Tomorrow (Wed) is the second part of my interview with John Wesley, from PickTheBrain. I recently created a new interview series called “Stephen Hopson Interviews.” It’s become popular here at the university as I go into depth and really get personal with people, in an effort to get to know them as spiritual beings having a human experience.
Looking forward to having you come back again! Thanks.
5:05 pm on February 12th, 2008 21
Thanks for the mention Stephen.I’m glad I came across this blog, because it has some insightful articles. I look forward to the video post.
Tejvan
Tejvan Pettinger’s last blog post..Basic Steps for Learning Meditation
6:46 pm on February 12th, 2008 22
Tejvan:
It continues to amaze me how all three of us have made a full circle, beginning with a guest post I did for PTB last year. And now we are all on each other’s radar. Way cool.
I don’t think I asked you this before but I’ve been tentatively invited to speak at the SOBCON08 event in May (Chicago). Are you planning to go? It’s organized by Liz Strauss, a well known blogger here in the states.