For those of you who are long-time regular readers of this blog, you’ll notice I’ve been sliding back and forth between posting weekly interviews and gratitude articles.  The purpose of this post is to bring you up to date on what’s happening on my end and then begin an experiment.  (Photo:  Siouxanna)

First before I tell you about my latest and probably most ambitious experience, I just wanted to tell you that I’ve been a bit preoccupied with preparing for a keynote presentation next week in Las Vegas at a major aviation expo.  For the first time in my professional speaking career, I will be using PowerPoint complete with photos and videos.  Thankfully the man who invited me to be the speaker has been helping me with the technical aspects of video editing and incorporating them in my PowerPoint program.  It’s taking a lot of my time and focus these days to get it just right and I’m having fun learning as I go!

Click on brochure to see inside!

I am very grateful for the opportunity to go back to Las Vegas again in less than 12 months (last year I was there as a keynote speaker at the MGM Grand Hotel for the Risk Management and Patient Safety Institute).  I’m staying at the same hotel but the speaking gig is being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Go to this link if you’re curious about the aviation expo – it takes you right to the page where I’m featured as the keynote speaker.

I will be sharing my journey in overcoming obstacles on the way to becoming the world’s first deaf instrument rated pilot.  The audience will be primarily made of pilots so they’ll understand whatever jargon I choose to use throughout the 60 minute talk.  I’m pretty stoked about it!

The other thing is my preoccupation with going back to school.  I’ve been feeling a strong inner calling to expand my knowledge in the study of consciousness, a subject of which has fascinated me for years.

Ever since I began my raw food journey in September of last year, I’ve been experiencing incredible internal shifts, literally becoming a completely different person in a matter of months.  I’ve taken on new interests, thinking more outside the box and substantially increased my level of spiritual awareness.   More then ever, I want make the world a better place to be – not that I didn’t want to before, but I’ve gone deeper into the meaning and purpose of my life in ways I haven’t done before.   That, in turn, has caused my way of being to change.

In other words, I’m not going back to school to get an MBA or receive a traditional degree like everybody expects.  What I want to do is get a Masters in spiritual psychology at the University of Santa Monica.

Why am I wanting to go back to school so badly?

Well, for one thing, I love the academic environment.  I really miss it.  I remember doing rather well in college during the 80′s.  I enjoy the challenge of taking on new subjects and learning about something that truly inspires my heart.  I don’t mind the discipline of studying, writing papers and taking written exams.  There’s nothing like the thrill of getting good grades and interacting with other students and professors on campus.

So it’s time for me to go back to school and I need your help.

My objective is to prove that regardless of the current economic situation, if you’re determined to achieve a goal despite the appearance of financial, logistical or other obstacles, there is never a better of a time to ask for assistance than right now.

When we are inspired to take action from the spirit, there is no need to “wait for the right time.”   As soon as I thought of the idea of writing a blog post about it, I went right to work.  My ego kept trying to tell me, “The economy is in bad shape, everyone is pinching pennies.  Wait until it recovers.”   From my perspective, that’s not abundant thinking.

Abundance is everywhere, regardless of the economic situation.  With God nothing is impossible.  He will provide the right people to appear on the way to our dreams.  Interestingly enough, God is my source, not people.

You’re probably thinking, “Whoa, hold it right there!  Well, Stephen, if God is your source, then why are you asking us for help?”

Good question, good question.

Let me challenge you to think outside the box for a moment.   God has always been your source.  Not your boss, not your paycheck, not your friends.  What happens is God uses people, places, things and circumstances to help those of us who are asking for it.  In other words, if you are inspired to help and you take action to do something, then that’s God working through you.  He’s inspired you.

God will put the desire in your heart if you are meant to contribute in some way.   Since we’re all given free will, obviously we make the final choice on what action we take but if we are listening and we take inspired action, that’s God using us to heed his call.  Does that make sense?

The University of Santa Monica is offering a 2 and 3 year Masters program in spiritual psychology.  Classes are taught one weekend a month for 9 months with a full week over the summer.  That means either I have to move there or commute from Ohio.

The biggest gravitational pull to this school is the fact that they provide interpreters for deaf students.  Without an interpreter in the classroom, I’d be lost.

Here’s where I need help from you (“Ask and You Shall Receive”)

1. If I decide to move to Santa Monica, I will need a place to stay – I’m looking for a potential roommate who is health conscious (into raw foods or something along those lines), a non smoker and a spiritual seeker.  Do you know anyone who has a room to rent in Santa Monica?
2. Are you aware of any government programs that offer financial assistance to students who want to go back to school for a Masters (or PhD)?
3. Are you aware of any scholarships or grants that I could look into?  Supposedly there are billions of dollars worth of scholarships just waiting to be taken.  In the past, I’ve found scholarships on FastWeb to be limited to those who are much younger than me in an undergraduate program.
4. I am estimating the cost to be about $25,000 for the first year.   I am required to send a deposit of $600 for the first semester (October).  Are you inspired to contribute?   Every little bit helps.  A PayPal button has been provided below for your convenience.  This is bold, I know but that’s okay!

When I come back from Las Vegas, I am setting up a dedicated “Help Stephen Return to School” page on this blog.  The moment I start receiving contributions for the purpose of attending this school, I will create something on the sidebar with an update of how much I’ve received so far.

If there’s anything I’ve learned from becoming the world’s first deaf instrument rated pilot, an award-winning Wall Street stockbroker and making scary decisions like quitting a six-figure career to become a motivational speaker and moving to three different states, it’s defying conventional ways of thinking, taking leaps of faith and asking for help.

I could not have accomplish any of the things I’ve done without other people coming into my life with the right resources at the right time.   We can’t do it alone.

That’s why I am sticking my neck out and asking you for help.

Update:  See Learning Life Lessons Through Mentor(s)

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