Time must have gone by slower this week because when I woke up at 6 am, my befuddled mind gave me the impression that it was Friday. But when I checked the calendar, I was relieved that it was only Thursday. That meant I had plenty of time to shoot yet another video for today’s post and then subtitle it. (Photo: Shelly)
As you know from the guest article I did for Problogger last week, I’ve been using the compact SONY MPEG4 Net Sharing Camcorder for Adversity University video posts.
While I’m grateful it served its purpose (i.e. “training wheels”), I became increasingly more conscious of the need for a much more powerful digital camcorder in case I ever want to submit better quality videos to places like SellingPower. They have a huge video collection from professional speakers, best-selling authors, popular bloggers and the like. Having a couple of mine in there could very well expose me to potentially lucrative speaking engagements that I might not have otherwise known about. You wouldn’t want me to be using a compact camcorder for that, would you?
After making today’s video with SONY’s Cam for the last time, I took it back and ordered in its place the Canon ZR850 MiniDV Digital Camcorder. For only $100 more, I’ll be getting everything the compact had plus a wireless remote control, superior zoom capabilities and a bigger viewfinder, to name a few. On top of that, I’ve been told Canon does better under low lighting conditions. I’ll have it in my hands in ten days.
If you’ve been viewing my video posts from the beginning, you’ll notice I’m gradually growing more comfortable in front of a camera.
But there’s also something else I’m noticing. Making videos over the last few weeks has made me aware of my tendency to repeat certain words and phrases over and over again. Words like “That,” “In fact,” and “So”, etc.
Corinne Edwards told me tonight in an email, “We’ll take it. Even after 50 years on the air, Larry King can still be heard to say things like Ummmm and I mean, etc. “
Well, thanks Corinne, but my life-long goal has always been to become a succinct speaker. You know, one who uses fewer words for maximum impact. The cool thing about doing a video post is that it’s giving me an opportunity to watch myself speak and then take appropriate corrective action. Isn’t that the name of the game?
Thanks for hanging in there with me - you’re witnessing a transformation!
Without further ado, if you are an RSS or email subscriber, please click on the title of this post to see the video. Thanks a lot!
PickTheBrain Article: 3 Words That Forver Changed a Deaf Boy’s Life
Food for thought: What are you grateful for this week?
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Start Slide Show with PicLens Lite
Welcome! I'm the founder and professor of Adversity University specializing in personal development for spiritual beings having a human experience. To see a speaking demo tape and other information, please click 
12:04 am on March 7th, 2008 1
I love it.. Timing chooses us. I certainly feel that, as I await big news that could change my life.. I’m trusting that it will be perfect in Divine Timing - not matter the outcome. I love your videos. I hope to get back going with mine again too. I’m grateful for you leading the way with the sub-titles.
8:04 am on March 7th, 2008 2
I like the idea of you speaking behind the cockpit! It looked like as if you’re speaking right before getting ready to soar into the sky!
Yep, timing picks you… meaning in other words, you cannot change your destiny, unless you do some bad deeds.
For example, I heard this story from someone else.
In the olden days in China, a noble man had a son. As soon as he was born, he immediately summoned a seer to predict his future.
The seer told the father that his son would grow up to do well in school and pass the top entrance exams and become a chief of the army.
Happy and proud, the father gave the seer some money.
Years went by. The time came for the son to take the top entrance exams which he had worked hard for them.
Yet, he… failed!
Upset and bewildered, the father quickly summoned his servant to fetch that seer.
Upon entering the mansion, the seer bowed before the father and asked what he could do to help.
Father asked the seer to verify his earlier predictions about his son and why his son did not pass the exams as predicted.
Pondering for a moment, the seer asked to speak with the son alone.
He asked the son, “I understand you worked hard all your life for the exams. However, I wanted to ask you one question. Did you ever do anything bad in your life?”
After a moment of thought, the son slowly admitted he had killed few men some years ago due to some military conflicts.
The seer then informed father that due to his son’s misdeeds, his destiny changed somewhat. But, if the son atoned for his “sins”, he might be able to get back on track, which he did.. pass the second entrance exams.
Nita
8:37 am on March 7th, 2008 3
Michelle:
I’m grateful you’re enjoying my videos. I continue to be a work in progress and am glad you’re along for the journey.
8:40 am on March 7th, 2008 4
Nita;
What a interesting fable you shared with us today. Very interesting indeed!
I thought it was cool to sit with the poster of the cockpit behind me. Something different, you know? I love experimenting with videos these days.
Thanks for sharing that story - it certainly made me think and pause. They say there’s a certain amount of truth in just about every fable out there. The question is which part of the story is your truth? Hmmm…
Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by - I enjoyed reading your comment.
10:24 am on March 7th, 2008 5
Stephen,
GREAT gratitude post and I LOVED the quote! I think it was a “divine message” to me today for my own life. It’s great to hear and see you as you share what you are thankful for and it’s also a call to action for me to do the same.
You looked so natural and at ease and the words just flowed. I feel a “lift” and insired to go through my day today. This blog is already amongst the best I’ve visited! The future holds something great for you. I can feel it in the air!
Happy Friday.
Sharmaine
10:49 am on March 7th, 2008 6
Sharmaine:
Thanks so much for your feedback regarding my latest video. I have to admit I was feeling much more at ease in front of the camera. It felt great! I’m excited about the new camcorder coming in another 9 days.
I’m so glad you felt uplifted and inspired to go through the day after watching the video. That’s cool!
11:08 am on March 7th, 2008 7
I love that quote and I’m adding it to my quote book.
You’re definitely getting more comfy in front of the camera! Keep it up!
11:11 am on March 7th, 2008 8
Karen:
Thanks - I love that quote too. I’m excited about the progress I’m making with my video journey. Can’t wait for the new camcorder and see what I can do with that. Life is GOOD.
12:27 pm on March 7th, 2008 9
Stephen, your confidence is growing with each video. It is inspiring to watch each video as it comes out.
Patricia - Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker’s last blog post..The Wisdom Of Letting Go
2:51 pm on March 7th, 2008 10
Stephen,
I totally agree with the idea of building a solid foundation one step at a time. I heard a related quote recently: Take is one step at a time, but walk fast.” lol…
regards,
Wayne
waynekey1@gmail.com
2:54 pm on March 7th, 2008 11
Excellent - you are getting to be a movie star, as I told you once before.
You look so confident now. And your smile is always infectious!
Can’t wait to see the new videos with your new camcorder. Tell us what you decided finally to buy so we will know if we get up the nerve to do what you do.
Thanks for love link to my blog. And for always leaving thought provoking comments on my articles.
I think what is working for you is not only the time factor but that you are not “efforting.” You present yourself with great authenticity - no pressure - It is just true Stephen!
And, you answer every comment - that makes it more fun for everyone to participate!
We are grateful every week for YOU!
4:27 pm on March 7th, 2008 12
Corinne:
Wow, you are making me blush Corinne! Thanks for the magnificient uplift. Yes, I remember, you told me I was getting to look like a movie star. Wouldn’t that be funny if I ended up in a movie? I can dream, can’t I? After all, I’ve been dreaming my whole life and it paid off!
I am looking forward to trying out the new camcorder. There is a link in the body of my post above leading you to the exact make and model that I ordered.
Wow, no pressure-authenticity. Coming from you, that’s worth its weight in gold. Because you say what you mean.
Thanks you for being grateful for me - you know I’m grateful for YOU.
I know this probably sounds sappy to some new visitor. They’ll probably think there’s some lovefest going on but who cares right? We have a rock solid community here where all of us support one another - right? So, hey, everyone here rocks!
And as for how I answer every comment - well, I love it when people respond back to me. Why do you think people click on the box to “subscribe” to the comment trail after leaving a comment? They want an answer back, specifically addressed to them. That’s why people check that box! They want some attention.
That’s what I try to do - give people attention. I don’t know how I’ll deal with it if the volume becomes unmanagable down the road but I’m not going to focus on that. I’ll focus on the now and enjoy it while I can.
4:28 pm on March 7th, 2008 13
Wayne:
That’s funny “Take one step at a time but walk fast.” Hahaha. But it’s somewhat true, right?
Glad you felt inspired to leave a comment. It’s what makes this community vibrant.
4:35 pm on March 7th, 2008 14
Patricia:
It feels great to do one a little better than before. When I first started speaking years ago, I bought a camcorder and taped all my speeches. It helped me tremendously for I was able to see how I was moving, gesturing and speaking. If it weren’t for those videos, it would have taken longer to improve my style on stage.
Thanks!
11:03 am on March 8th, 2008 15
Stepehen,
Yes the walk fast comment is absolutely right for me. Its something that I need to remember, because I can slip into my academic mode and not take the necessary action.
But your point about timing brought tears to my eyes. You see I am going thru a very painful business failure right now. I spent the last six years and our entire net worth building a local high quality contracting company. But the combination of our start up debt; my sales manager of 6 years quitting suddenly; and the construction side of the economy tanking; just killed us.
Its been about a month now and I am beginning to get some perspective, and tho I made many mistakes, my biggest mistake was not putting my ladder on the right wall ( to use Stephen Covey’s phrase), I have not been focusing on my real talents or those things I really love doing. Your comments on timing were very to the point. This happened for a reason, whether telological or not, but because it has happened and because I am learning from it, I can use it to grow dramatically and to help others grow. This is my time.
anyway not to go overboard, but you have fan here….. thanks for your work.
Wayne
waynekey1@gmail.com
8:55 am on March 9th, 2008 16
Wayne:
I’m absolutely humbled and floored at the same time for the way you shared your story with me. I’m glad that my video post on timing was …well, perfect timing!
I’ve learned that timing is everything, regardless of whether it’s the good or bad. And like you indicated, when the bad stuff hits the fan, even that’s a time of reflection, learning and growing.
Because of your business situation, you are now taking stock, looking back and realizing that you might have been ignoring your passion for something and that the timing of this business situation could be construed as divine timing, designed to nudge you awake and set you on a new path to a future that you were born for.
I thank you for sharing this with me and wish you continued success. I also thank you for saying you’re another fan of mine. It was no accident you stumbled upon my site, wasn’t it? Wink, wink.
3:11 am on July 25th, 2008 17
Stephen, thanks for the words and authentic manner in which you deliver. This is my first foray into your blog but if the rest is like this I am sure there is a lot to look forward to. It will be fun and instructional watching you grow through this process and it will most likely prove to others that they can do it too. I know I am one step closer.
8:15 am on July 25th, 2008 18
Maria:
I’m glad you enjoyed the video here. That’s when I had my new camcorder which I’ve since returned in hopes of finding something better. I haven’t yet. But I’m determined to go back to taping some posts.
Thanks for the compliments - I appreciate your input. I’m glad you followed through upon stumbling on this blog and learning that you could end up becoming a new part of the Adversity University community. Welcome!