If the title of today’s post made you take a double look, it wasn’t because you were imagining things.  It’s for real.

Ever since I started the interview series at Adversity University last year, I’ve managed to do an interview every single week.  But for the first time, I had more people in the pipeline who weren’t ready for air time.  That left me with the only option I knew of.

Karen Putz once planted a seed in my mind saying that if I were ever to find myself in that position, she’d be happy to “sub” and interview me instead.

Well that time has come and here’s Karen asking me a handful of questions.  Thanks Karen!

Karen Putz:  “Tell me something that we wouldn’t find in print or on the web.”

Stephen:  Even though I’m a pilot and have flown as high as 11,000 feet, I’m not exactly fond of heights.  You  would not find me rock climbing or changing light bulbs on very high ceilings.  Isn’t that ironic?  I once used to paint houses to pay the bills while building my speaking career.  Every time I walked into a client’s house, I’d do everything in my power to make sure the other guys got those high ceiling rooms.  Sometimes I was not successful with that objective and ended up working in those rooms - it was definitely NOT FUN!

Update August 8, 2008:  On the recommendation of Michael Werner (see comment #4 below), I am trying something fun and new by responding to my own responses as a detached, objective person - not easy when you know in your heart you are responding to your own answers!

Stephen’s Response to Stephen:  Sounds like you have a basic fear deep inside yourself that you can get rid of once and for all!  Hehehehe.  I was reading this excellent book called “Peace Pilgrim” who says she doesn’t fear anything at all.  The best way to get rid of fear is by actually doing them.  So I guess you need to climb more ladders, huh?

Karen Putz:  “Everyone has a dark period in their life.  Can you share a time in your life that was extremely hard and how did you get through it?”

Stephen:  The difficult times that I can remember were those that I caused myself.  During the early eighties when Studio 54 was popular, I spent way too much time partying and living beyond my means.  The result was out of control spending and unhealthy behaviors.  One night, I woke up and found myself fully dressed on my living room couch with the worst hangover.  It was horrible.  I had a death pounding headache and literally thought I was going to die.  That’s when I knew I had taken things too far.   It was the start of my spiritual journey because as soon as my head cleared, I discovered (or rather “re-discovered”) God and my spiritual purpose.  I began to shape up, focus on what was important and shed limiting and unhealthy beliefs/behaviors.

Stephen’s Response to Stephen: It’s true that most adversity is caused by ourselves.  We create the drama in our lives but the moment you recognized that you were creating the life you were leading, you began to sit up and take notice.  Congrats buddy boy!

Karen Putz:  On the flip side, I watched the movie “The Bucket List,” where the characters listed things to do before they “kicked the bucket.”  Name some things that are on that bucket list.

Stephen:  My bucket list is actually long but I’ll keep this one short and sweet:

• Establish the Stephen Hopson Foundation promoting the concept of fostering world peace
• Appear in a major motion picture
• Be invited as a guest on Oprah
• Publish my book (Obstacle Illusions:  A Journey of Epic Proportions) and have it reach at least one of the best-selling lists (NYT, Amazon, B&N, Wall Street, USAToday)
• Be the first deaf pilot to fly and own the HondaJet, christening it “The Spirit of Helen Keller”

Stephen’s Response to Stephen: Just looking at these goals makes me want to add more for you Stephen but I understand that it’d probably go on for pages and pages.  How exciting to be so daring as to put the seemingly “impossible” dreams up for all to see!

Karen Putz:  “Also from that movie, have you experienced joy?”

Stephen:  Yes, absolutely.  But I can never tell when it’s going to happen.  Lately it’s when I watch an absolutely incredible movie that inspires me with hope and faith.  I usually cry buckets of tears and thank God out loud for what happened in the movie.

Stephen’s Response to Stephen:  I don’t remember where I read this but they say when you let “it all out,” the reason it feels so good is because what’s happening is you’re releasing whatever pent up emotions and feelings you might have inside you.  Crying buckets of tears from joy is a healthy release mechanism, I think.  If you’re crying from joy and gratitude, I think that’s healthy.  If you’re crying tears from sorrow and remorse, that’s healthy too.  But it becomes a problem when you’re crying incessantly, at the drop of a hat.  That, to me would indicate an underlying problem.

Karen Putz:  “And have you brought joy to others (also from the movie)?”

Stephen:  I have no doubt oncesoever when I answer “Yes.”  This summer, I volunteered to be a mentor to a group of deaf kids.  Now that the summer is nearing the end, the kids have gotten to know me.  When they see me, their eyes light up and they squeal with delight, sometimes running over to hug me.

Just today, we were traveling in a van on the way back home after a field trip when one kid next to me asked if I would help him untangle a gnarly ball of string so that he could use it to attach a small plastic GI Joe figure to a plastic parachute.  After several minutes of trying to untangle the darn thing, I gave up but instead of telling him, “Sorry kid, I tried,” I reached into my bag and pulled out a GI Joe and told him he could have mine.  His reaction was unbelievable joy.  It made my heart sing to see such extravagant display of joy on his face.  So, yes, I’ve brought joy to others!

Stephen’s Response to Stephen:  There’s nothing more powerful than adding joy to another person’s life.  It makes you forget all about your own problems.  It’s true.  I remember I went to a nursing home one time years ago.  It was a simple visit, having to do with my church’s program, and there I was, talking to this rather intelligent but lonely senior citizen.  I remember us having such an engaging conversation and how she lit up with enthusiasm.  We talked for hours that afternoon.  Throughout the whole thing I completely forgot about my own little problems and felt tremendously uplifted.  I’m no expert in this but darn it, if you feel lonely, depressed, upset, angry - just go out and touch a life and watch what happens.

Thank you Karen for rescuing me today and filling in for me.  It was cool to turn the tables for once.  Will you come back and do it again if I ever need you to?  I hope so!

Until next time folks, enjoy!

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