Just the other day I received an email from a subscriber who wrote an interesting newsletter article entitled, “Are you Hiding?”  I had to laugh because that’s probably what I’ve been doing so far in this year.    I was telling a friend at church yesterday that I feel like I am in a funk.   Have you ever had one of those?  You’re in a funk, not exactly depressed but you’re not motivated either.    I think we all have them, including me.  Surprise, surprise!

I just haven’t been inspired to write a gratitude post even though I’m very grateful.  I came off a fantastic year in 2008 and you would think I’d be charging into 09 with full vigor and enthusiasm.   Well, sort of but not fully.  Ever been there?

One thing I do have going, which I am exceedingly grateful, is my raw food journey which continues to keep me in good shape with plenty of energy.   Normally, when I’m in a funk like this, I forgo the gym and pig out with junk food like there’s no tomorrow.  Thankfully that isn’t the case this time around.  I continue to feel inspired to workout and stay on the raw food train.

It’s not the first time I’ve been in a funk – I’ll tell you how I snap out of it in a future article.   But right now, we have Michael Chase back for the second part of his interview with me.  If you didn’t read the first part, please do that before delving into Part II because you’ll have a much better understanding of who he is and what he’s all about.   Go ahead and see it at Stephen Hopson Interview with Michael J. Chase of the Kindness Center, Part I of II.

Okay, now that we’re all caught up, let’s call Michael from the green room.  MICHAEL!  WE’RE WAITING FOR YOU MY FRIEND.  COME ON OUT!!!!

Let’s get started with the first question.

8. We all have a dark side, what’s yours?

I’d say my front is the darker side. I always forget to roll over when lying out in the sun.   Oh, wait, did you mean like an evil side?   O.k, seriously, my dark side is anytime I think I am bigger than my message.   Early on, it was easy to get caught up in the spotlight and let that cinderblock on my shoulders, called an ego, convince me that I was so important.   I now understand that it’s not really about me.   I’m just the delivery guy.   Do I want to become famous, get on Oprah, sell millions of books…no.    Do I want the message of kindness to become Beatle-Mania like famous, get on Oprah, and sell millions of books?   You better believe I do.

Stephen’s Response: There’s a big difference between the message you’re delivering and the messenger.  A friend told me once, “just focus on helping others, serve them and everything else will fall into place.”  That means letting the ego take a backseat, not an easy feat.  I can identify with this myself.    The way I do it is by being humble.  While I certainly share my achievements, I also make a point that I stumble and fall like everyone else.

9. What would you say was the defining moment (personal “tipping point” per sey) that forever changed the course of your life?  For example, was it someone who made an impact on you or was it a spiritual revelation?

My father’s suicide was a moment that forever changed my life.   It was especially difficult because after 30 years of struggling with our relationship, we were just becoming close.   I had finally found a place in my heart to forgive him, while he had worked so hard at being a better dad.   Losing him that way just devastated me.

That experience now serves as a major source of inspiration for me.    Helping people discover joy and meaning in life allows me to feel connected to my father.    If I can ensure that even one person never experiences the pain he went through…I will feel that I have lived a meaningful life.

Stephen’s Response: Wow, I had no idea!  You mostly hear of sons and daughters taking their own lives but parents?  I cannot imagine what you had to deal with in the aftermath.   I’m glad to see this incident sparked a major source of inspiration for you.

That’s usually what happens – a major tragedy happens and a person most affected by it does something about it.  Look at John Walsh of TV’s “Most Wanted.”   He lost a son to kidnapping and murder, inspiring him to catch the bad guys on TV.   I am going to go out on a limb here and say this:  We all come here with a pre-birth agreement to carry out certain missions.  For instance, I firmly believe I chose to be deaf in this lifetime so that my soul could experience growth lessons.  Everyone I’ve ever met has been part of that agreement – they all had their roles to play – the teacher, the bully, the father, the mother, etc.  You and your father agreed to carry out the roles that were played so that you could go on and carry out the kindness message to the world.    The suicide of your Dad was part of that plan.

Wow, I can’t believe I opened up like that!  Well, that’s my belief from a larger cosmic point of view.  It might strike some of you as odd or strange but it all makes sense to me.  We each have a cosmic role to play – this is precisely why we should never judge another person because we really don’t know the make-up of his/her pre-birth agreement.

10. What do you do to maintain good health?  Do you follow a certain diet regiment?  My fans, friends and followers all know about my raw food journey that I started in September 2008 and it’s been nothing short of a major miracle.  I lost almost 30 lbs, have more energy than ever and feel closer to divinity.  This has led a change of focus, leading me down the path of health and wellness that I would never have considered before.  So it’s only natural I’d ask you this question.

I begin each day with yoga, meditation and then a run.    Last year I became a vegetarian and have found tremendous health and spiritual benefits from that decision.    Sure I go a little crazy with sweets during the holiday season, but the way I see it, I’m NOT taking any chances that my mom’s peanut butter fudge is not in the afterlife!

Stephen’s Response: In that order?  Every day?  That’s great!  Congratulations on your decision to become a vegetarian and finding health and spiritual benefits from it.   The same thing happened with my raw food journey that I began in September.  Not only have I lost 25 to 30 pounds (depending on the day I step on the scale, hahaha), but I’ve also gotten closer to my inner spirit, listening to it more often.  I feel closer to Mother Earth and truly care about her well being.  I’ve come into more information about my spiritual journey and those of others that I wasn’t aware of before.  I’m attracting spiritually grounded people as well as business opportunities that align nicely with my newfound health awareness.

BTW, your mom’s peanut butter fudge sounds delicious!

11. At Adversity University, I often talk about the value of  changing our perceptions in order to deal with adversity.  How have  you dealt with adversity in your life?  Give us specific examples of  adversity and what you did to overcome them.

We have been given a tremendous gift in life, the power of choice. I give a program based on that topic alone and how our choices determine not only our lives, but also the fate of all beings.    Each day, I know that I am 100% responsible for creating my life and a better world. No blame allowed.    Sure I get frustrated with the destructive choices that other people make, but complaining and being “against” them does not solve the problem.     I make it my intention to be “for” rather than “against.”    For example, even though I watched drugs and alcohol destroy my family, I am not against substance abuse…I am for healthy living.    Even though I have had friends experience the horrors of war, I am not against war…I am for peace.    Being for gives you tremendous power.    Being against however weakens your mind, body and spirit. In a poetic nutshell: “whatever you resists, persists, whatever you are for, you adore.” Wow, that’s not half bad!    I’m a poet and didn’t even know it! I better stop there. 

Stephen’s Response: That’s it.  The power of choice.  Even when you don’t do anything and sit on the couch, you’ve made a choice.  Isn’t that amazing?  Every single thing you do, say or think is a result of a choice you made.  When you accept that as being true, then you’re so much closer to the awareness of taking total responsibility for things that happen to you.    There’s nothing more freeing than saying, “You know, you’re right, I messed up.”   That usually shuts up the person who wants to blame you because you’ve just destroyed that person’s ammunition supply!   It’s fun to watch actually!

You make a very important point about the power of being for something rather than against something.  Remember Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say NO!” drug program?  When she got millions of people to go against drugs, what happened?  Did drug usage went up!   What would have been a better solution would have been to focus on health and wellness because the more you focus on something, the more power you give it regardless of whether the focus is on something good or bad.

Let me use my own personal experience with smoking cigars as an example.  When I began the raw food diet, did I make a goal of mine to stop smoking cigars?  No.  I just focused on health and wellness and the 10 plus years of smoking stopped as a natural byproduct of my focus on taking better care of myself!   For those of you who don’t know me, I LOVED cigars.  I was obsessed with having at least one a day!  But a few months after I went raw, the desire to light up simply vanished.   This was tested when I recently visited my brother’s for the holidays.  My Dad was out in the backyard smoking a cigar while I was playing with the dogs.   I was surprised to see how I had no desire to light up even though the smell of cigar smoke was both sweet and enticing.  The desire was GONE.  And not because I decided to quit smoking on purpose.

12. What is your favorite word?  Least favorite?

I really believe that words have very little power without intent or tonality.    It’s not what you say, but rather where the words come from.    You can make almost any word beautiful if it comes from a kind heart.    You can also destroy beautiful words with sarcasm and unkind tones.    Speak from the heart and any word can be love…

Stephen’s Response: Most of my readers know about the fifth grade teacher story where 3 words were uttered, forever changing my life.  She had a kind heart that made a big difference.

You’re right – words by themselves don’t really have any power except the meaning you attach to them.  Or the intent behind them.    I agree – “speak from the heart and any word can be love.”    Very true.

13. What was the most embarrassing moment of your life that you now look back at and laugh, cry or smile?  What was the lesson(s) you learned?

Having to give a presentation on “preventing teen pregnancy” in high school definitely makes it high on my list of embarrassing moments.    Oh, and the lesson I learned…a turkey baster and condom are not the best choice for props.

Stephen’s Response: Moooohahahaha.  A turkey baster and condom?  As props?  Oh Lord, how funny!  I hope you talk about that in your speeches because people love it when speakers poke fun at themselves.  It makes them more human and “relatable.”

14. What 3 books, blogs, mentors or other sources have influenced you and why?  (ONLY THREE IN TOTAL)

Most of Wayne Dyers work has been a big inspiration in my life.    Although other teachers inspired much of his work, his delivery really worked well for me.    Ram Dass has also been a wonderful teacher in my life.    His wit, sense of humor, and beautiful philosophies, have had a big impact on my style of speaking. I’m a “speak from the heart” kind of guy.    My presentations are never even close to being professionally or technically perfect, but what you do get is the real me.    Too many presenters forget to be human on stage.    I fall in love with everyone in the audience so being intellectual doesn’t work for me.    Showing love and compassion for everyone in front of you is the key to an authentic presentation.

Stephen’s Response: I just wanted to point out your photo to the left.  Do you see where your hands are?  They’re over the heart area.   Just by looking at it I can tell you were speaking passionately from the heart.  I like how you were dressed casually.    I rarely wear a business suit these days.  Only once in a while it’s appropriate to.    Clothes don’t make the man, you know?  Yes, I know first impressions count but I think how you carry yourself speaks even louder.

I agree – show love and compassion is the key to giving authentic presentations.  It’s the only way to get your message across.

15. What do you hope God will have to say to you when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

“Hey! Your mom just made a batch of peanut butter fudge! Come on in and stay for an eternity or two!”

Stephen’s Response: So does that mean when I get there, I can get a sample of her peanut butter fudge?  LOL.    “An eternity or two” brought a smile to my face.   The funny thing about “an eternity” is that apparently it goes by in the blink of an eye, so to speak.

16. Being deaf, I am always curious to know which sounds other people love and hate to hear.  Tell us a sound you absolutely adore and a sound you detest.

This may seem strange…but I love the sound of silence.    I have discovered gorgeous qualities to silence through meditation.    It has a voice of it’s own and brings me tremendous peace.

The sound I despise?    A ringing cell phone during a deep conversation with a friend.

Stephen’s Response: Interesting you like the sound of silence.  Well, we could trade places for a day, if you’d like!  You’ve inspired me to take up meditation more often.  I love that feeling of peace you speak of.   I don’t always have it but when I do, wow, it’s the most amazing, beautiful, calming and reassuring feeling.   Your mouth literally curves up into a smile without effort, all day long.  People can’t help but smile back at you and wonder why you’re looking so peaceful.  They notice something about you but can’t quite put their finger on it.  I love that!

A ringing cell phone during a deep conversation with a friend is similiar to someone approaching me and interrupting a conversation I’m having with someone.  Often times in order not to break train of thought during the conversation, I’ll put up my finger to signal to the other person that I’m not done yet.   It’s my way of staying focused on the other person and giving him/her all of my attention.   Too many people let distractions like that interrupt the conversation.

17. We all have our likes and dislikes.  What would you say turns you on and what turns you off?  Give the first answer that comes to your mind without censoring or editing it.

Likes…

I know this probably seems too obvious, but sincere, kindhearted people just make me glow.    Whether it’s outstanding customer service or a stranger on the street smiling at me, kind people simply make me fall in love with life.

Dislikes…

Well, you probably already guess it, but mean-spirited, unkind behavior just kills me.    Whenever I see it, it’s as if something sharp is being driven through my heart.

Stephen’s Response: Interesting responses!   Who doesn’t like to be treated kindly?  Have you ever had an irate person suddenly calm down after you’ve shown kindness, despite the verbal lashing you just received from that person?  It’s a most amazing transformation to witness.  The other person immediately (although not always) feels the love and backs down.   Sometimes they trip over themselves and apologize profusely for their “outburst” citing “a bad hair day” or something like that.

19.  What’s the biggest, boldest dream you have for yourself Michael?   In other words, using inspiration from the movie, “The Bucket List” (Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freedman, 2007), what’s on your bucket list?

It’s simple: Change the world.     My life’s mission is to inspire kindness as a way of life.    If enough of us begin to radiate kindness in all of our thoughts, words and actions, we will completely change the consciousness of this planet.

But if that doesn’t work out, a starting position on the Red Sox would be cool…

Stephen’s Response: Well, Michael, you are well on your way to doing just that!  I found your mission to resonate with my soul and am so thankful you found me after which I couldn’t wait to invite you to be interviewed here.

You are indeed a major lightworker, paving the way for more light on the Earth.  Like you said, if enough of us radiate our inner light in the form of kindness, compassion and love to the rest of the world, it will heal.  In fact, I believe that’s what is happening right now.  The dark forces of this world are rapidly receding while the light is taking on bigger and bigger portions.  The more lightworkers we have, the more the planet and its occupants will heal.

18. And finally but not least, where can we find out more about you?

The Kindness Center

Well, folks we are at the end of yet another inspiring and thought provoking interview!  Thank you Michael for coming to Adversity University.    I know that everyone who took the time to read both parts of our interview were touched on some level.   It’s impossible not to be!   Just looking at your photos is enough to demonstrate the power of kindness in your eyes.   You were meant to travel this path and I wish you all the best!

Folks, I owe you a gratitude post, I know.  It’s coming.  Hang on tight and enjoy the rest of the week.

Oh yes, don’t forget to perform random acts of kindness.  Here’s a list to get you started:

1. Hold the door open for the person behind you to come inside the store.
2. Compliment someone on his/her new haircut or at least make a mention of it with “Did you get a haircut?”
3. Pay the toll of the car behind you.
4. Visit someone in a nursing home.
5. Bake cookies for your next door neighbor for no apparent reason.
6. Wipe off the snow on your neighbor’s car.
7. Give up your airline seat for someone who needs to go to a specific destination for a family emergency.

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