I never know where I’ll get the inspiration to write a post that I feel strongly about.  It was born over the weekend after having a great discussion with a good friend of mine, Joni. (Photo credit:  ifido)

Every time we get together, we end up having a long conversation about everything ranging from politics to the state of the economy to human rights to matters of spiritual nature.

It’s always thought provoking, entertaining and most definitely uplifting.  Sometimes our talks last for hours.  Rather than feel tired and stiff, we feel rejuvenated by the time we part ways.   It was during one of those talks that I am sometimes hit with simple, yet profound reminders of the truth when I get together with friends like that.

Let me paraphrase Joni’s parting words:

You don’t realize this but every time your let your inner child come out to play, people are profoundly touched and moved.  Let me remind and encourage you to open that door and let him come out more often because that’s God’s gift to you.  It has incredible healing power that can literally move mountains and you don’t even realize it!

OMG.

She was talking about the magic of human connectivity.   Earlier in the day, I had told her that although I won the next level of the Toastmaster’s Humorous Speech Contest (I’m now competing on the Divisional level this coming Saturday, October 4, 2008), I did not experience the same magical feeling compared to when I first gave the speech at the club level a week ago.

Someone from my club who was at the Area Contest said, “Frankly I liked the first time you told The James Bond Lady Fiasco story because you were more playful.  I loved how you acted out portions of that speech with dramatic flair – it was much funnier and more touching.”

She was right.  I hadn’t let my inner child come out the second time around.  I was too busy worrying about going over the time limit so I rushed through it.  My mouth got dry and I did not feel like I was in the flow.  (Photo Credit:  MGREIS)

Have you ever been in that position?

By the time I realized what was happening, I attempted to slow down and tried to get into the groove but it was too late.  Despite that, I still won first place but I now have another opportunity to make adjustments at the next contest.

Let the inner child come out and play.

Every time I allow that to happen, regardless of whether I’m speaking, writing or interacting with other people (especially during interview situations), I instantly go into the “zone.”

Words, thoughts, ideas, expressions come naturally to me without so much a blip.  It’s the most wonderful feeling in the world because it’s magical.   I speak clearly and articulately.   I feel all of us are one during those times.   It is this magic that gives me the ability to move people and inspire them in deep and profound ways.

However, when that inner child is locked away, the magic cannot display its full potential.  If people are lucky enough, they’ll only catch a brief glimpse of the magic.    I’m guessing that’s what happened when the judges heard me speak this weekend.

Whether you realize it or not (and regardless of what you do), people subconsciously respond to that part of you better than when you attempt to put up this “adult-playacting” role.   When you let your hair down (assuming you have any, hahahaha – I certainly don’t!), you encourage others to do the same.   Invisible walls come tumbling down and people connect at a cellular level.  There’s no need to pretend, compete or play games.

Do you know what that feels like?  It’s complete freedom, let me tell you!

I am here to remind you that your inner child has the power to hold the world in the palm of your hand.  I know this because I’ve seen myself do it numerous times.  (Photo credit:  Elli 19)

Your inner child is your best friend who is quite capable of putting you in the natural flow of life.   When we allow it to emerge, an instant bond is formed with those around us.  Words tumble out easily and effortlessly.  We feel light and energetic.   Because things snap into place easily and effortlessly, hardly a finger needs to be lifted to “make things happen.”

Just before Joni walked out the door, I suddenly transformed myself into a giddy little kid, got down on my knees and shouted, “YES, YOU ARE RIGHT, I MUST LET MY INNER CHILD COME OUT!”

Tears instantly sprang forth.  Jabbing her finger at me, she excitedly said,   “See? That’s what I’m talking about!  When you let go and be who you really are, you have this tremendous power to jump into people’s hearts and heal them, just like you’re doing with me right now!”

With that, she waved goodbye and sped off into the night, leaving me with this incredible desire to share with you this important question:  Knock, Knock, Can you Come Out to Play?

Food for thought:  When was the last time you did that?

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On Sunday, October 2nd, four young college graduates from the “Pursue the Passion” cross country bus tour stopped and visited me here at Adversity University in Akron, Ohio. In a previous article, I had written about Brett Farmiloe (far right side of the above photo) who started this whole project, to interview people from different backgrounds about their professional passion(s). They are now on a country-wide mission to find out how and why people succeed by doing what they love. Jobing.com is their major sponsor.

As a result of their visit, Brett wrote: What Confidence Can Do.

Brett and Zach once worked as corporate auditors (I did too – you may remember “Harry the Bank Boss” story – “Harry” was my irate boss in the auditing department at a Wall Street bank). Brett held me spellbound with a riveting tale of how he was planning to quit his job so that he could start this bus tour. One day his boss called him in to have a “talk.” On her desk were two envelopes. One was a bonus and the other was a raise. Little did either of them know what they had in mind for that fateful meeting!

Zach (affectionately called “The Puppy” – if you ever meet him, you’ll understand why they call him this), on the other hand, quit one week before the “Pursue of the Passion” bus tour started. Now that’s passion, if you ask me! He was among the most frequent participants during the interview, asking a whole bunch of great questions.

Noah and James (“Jay”) are both creative writing/music geniuses who met and became friends at the University of Arizona. You can read their blog at Class Project. Noah even wrote an article there about his visit to Adversity University: “Shut Up and Listen.” Jay used to be a football player and told how he broke his collarbone three times. He was such a gifted and inspiring storyteller that I felt as if I were there, watching the whole thing unfold in front of me.

Each and every one of them had the magic ability to inspire me with the realization of latent possibilities. After their tour is over, they intend to write a book and produce a documentary. You could be a part of it. In fact, why don’t you head over to Pursue the Passion schedule and see if they are coming your way soon? If they are, write Brett an email and introduce yourself. If they are heading your way and you’re passionate about what you’re doing, you most definitely qualify for an interview with them. It doesn’t matter what it is that you do. As long as you are living your dreams and following your passion(s), they want to meet you!

Trust me, you can open your home to these extraordinary pacesetters. They are not only polite but exceedingly grateful for your time. Give them the use of your scrubbed down shower and provide them with a stack of clean smelling towels, they’ll sing your praises until you tire of it. Give them a tray of delicious muffins and feed their hungry bellies, you’ve made friends for life! Talk about your innermost passions, they’ll listen raptly and make you feel special because they have each mastered the fine art of listening.

Finally, and this is very rare, each one of them carry a heart the size of the world. By the time you bid them farewell, you won’t be able to help but want to hug them tightly. That’s exactly what I did. I stood there and watched their RV pull away while Noah opened the back window and thrust his fist in the air in victory.

Do yourself a favor and give yourself the same opportunity to have them in your midst – you’ll forever remember the experience.

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In line with my stories, observations and tips about the importance of finding and maintaining your passions, Christine recently wrote a wonderfully written and inspiring post that I highly recommend for your reading today: “Getting Discovered, Getting Discouraged and Getting a Clue.” Don’t you love that title? Wish I could come up with something like that!

Have a fun rest of the weekend!

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My friend and fellow blogger Phil Gerbyshak wrote a great article outlining his passions, causing me to revisit the timeless topic. I encourage you to check it out here and see if this helps you think a little more deeply about the things you are passionate about.

Previous articles/stories on the subject of having a passion can be seen at the following:

a. How Having a Passion Can Save Your Life
b. Motivation – Where Does it Come From?
c. Trust in Being Brave – The Merrill Lynch Story
d. Trust that Your Passions Will be Supported by the Universe
e. Passion at Southwest Airlines
f. Entertain the Possibilities – Swimming Championships

Food for thought: What is your passion?

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Take a look:

Vern, co-founder of The Good Blogs and writer of “The Idea Dude” was recently a guest blogger over at Liz Strauss’s widely read blog. In an article entitled “Connecting the Dots with the Idea Dude,” he mentioned both “Debilitating Habits of Comparing Ourselves to Others” and “The Price You Pay for Not Accepting Yourself.” Links to both can be found in Vern’s guest column. Thank you Vern! And of course, thank you Liz for allowing Vern to be your guest blogger at SOB.

Then I discovered Laura Young of “The Dragon Slayer’s Guide to Life” accepted TWO of my stories to the “Carnival of Courage,” a rare feat. Apparently Laura is well known for not accepting more than one piece from any particular author but she did exactly that with “Three Words” (about my fifth grade teacher who forever changed my life with three words) and “Trust in Being Brave — The Merrill Lynch Story.” You can see her write-up here with links to those stories. Thanks Laura!

Food for thought: When you are on purpose and continue to work on your passion (which for me is writing, motivational speaking, flying, etc), the world will be drawn to you like a magnet.

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We often discover, mostly by trial and error, that it’s up to us to find and nurture our innermost passions and the only way we can do that is by taking action toward that end. Taking small steps (or big steps if you have the courage to do so) will unlock the wheels and get you rolling in the direction you were meant to go. It takes courage to do that. A lot of courage.

This morning I stumbled on to a bone-chilling story that is an absolute must-read for everyone. It is about a man who counted himself among thousands of listless, unsmiling faces on the commuter train, going to and from a job he had absolutely no passion for. Not only is it well written but it has a shocker of an ending that I had no clue was coming. Without further ado, here it is: Pursue the Passion.

After I read that, I decided to learn more about the people behind Pursue the Passion blog and found a short autobiography by a young man who started a bus tour, going around the country and interviewing people about their life’s passions. It brought tears to my eyes and fired me up this morning. I think it will do the same for you: Brett Farmiloe’s Autobiography.

They are accepting stories about your experiences in pursuing your life’s passions. Go on over there and share a piece of yourself with them. You could inspiring others from around the globe.

Until next time, have a great beginning of the week!

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Alexander Kjerulf from Positive Sharing wrote a fascinating article about how two major airlines deal with their customers in times of adversity. He painted a stark contrast between the behavior of employees from Contential and Southwest in “A Tale of two airlines – why every company should have a Chief Apology Officer.”

Interestingly enough, his article nicely complemented some stuff I wrote about the wonder of Southwest Airlines:

1. Passion at Southwest Airlines
2. Entertaining the Possibilities at Southwest
3. Acting on Intuition – The Southwest Story
4. How Southwest Remembers People

Until next time, enjoy the rest of your week!

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That is, until I am inspired or find myself in that creative zone where the words flow from my mind to the keyboard easily and effortlessly. This causes me not to write for days or sometimes weeks, even months until BOOM, I’m hit with something I feel is worth your time. (Photo:  WakaMoul)

Today I found it. I stumbled onto a YouTube video that blew me away this morning and I think it will do the same for you. It might even cause you to experience goose bumps!

While I cannot hear music or the voices behind them, I could tell how this man caused Simon Cowell, one of the judges, to cock his head curiously and bring another judge to tears (no, it wasn’t Paula from American Idol but someone else from Great Britain in another TV show).

Watch their reactions when the man told them what he was going to sing. You could tell by their icy stares that they were extremely skeptical of his ability to carry it out, probably because of his appearance. Somewhat overweight with a chipped tooth and an unsmiling face, this man did not look like a star – not by a long shot. But to his credit, he did not let their looks of disapproval disintegrate his composure. In fact, he took his time, much to everyone’s chagrin!

After Simon told him to “take it away when you are ready,” there was an uncomfortably long period of silence. It was palpable – you could feel it – absolutely no one knew what to make of this man. During those few precious seconds of silence, you could literally “see” the oppressive sense of pressure building up all around him.

But the moment he opened his mouth, it was all over. The reaction was swift. In a matter of seconds, the energy switched from itchy, uncomfortable silence to incredible excitement. It was like pure magic.

Watching the video gave me chills and reminded me of what I experience from time to time when I am called to give a motivational speech. For those of you who know my background, I experienced an epiphany on the beach in Florida during one of my mini-vacations while working on Wall Street (“The Moment of My Spiritual Revelation on the Beach“). It was at that moment when I realized that my gift to the world was not buying and selling stocks but using my ability to speak clearly and articulately despite being born deaf. When I am on stage, something profound takes place, just like what happened to this man you’re about to watch. Like him, I become “one with the audience” and manage to convert even the harshest of skeptics into new fans, clients or even lifelong friends.

Like what happens in the video, I have seen people in the audience sit there with a smirk on their faces and folded arms. It’s if they are saying, “Hey big shot, just who do you think you are? What do you have to say that would make my life better than it is already?” Despite the hurdle in overcoming these silent challenges, there is nothing more exhilarating than watching the face of these people undergo a gorgeous, divine transformation with a hearty laugh, smile or a tear because of something you just said. It’s not about the standing ovations – it’s about transforming lives. Isn’t that what we’re all here to do in the first place?

Okay, here it is:

Wasn’t that incredible or what? This leads me to ask you: What is Your Gift to the World?

Think about it…… You were created for a divine purpose. You came here to carry out a specific mission. What is it?

You say you don’t know? Don’t despair. You really do know. The answer is inside you. All you have to do is ask your inner spirit.

Here’s how you can coax it out of yourself. Ask yourself what areas you are really good in? Never mind the money-making potential. What have you done in the past that made time fly by so fast that you didn’t realize what time it was when you were finished? Can you remember a time when you were a child when hours and hours went by without you noticing?

You might want to review an article I wrote several months ago: “Trust that Your Passions will be Supported by the Universe.” Here’s another one: “Timing is Everything.”

Imagine…someone like this guy who didn’t fit the Hollywood stereotype of a “star” only to come on stage and blow everyone away. My God, isn’t that the stuff that movies are made out of? Yet it actually happened – you saw it with your own eyes. If this guy can do the impossible, why not you? As you saw, you don’t need to look like a top model, have a Ph.D, be a CEO or a celebrity to make a difference.

Dreams do come true!

Food for thought: What is your God given talent for the rest of the world? Your talents are very much needed!

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Well, we now have an actual footage of a flight that was recently undertaken to not only practice getting Ryan in and out of the airplane (it requires two people as you’ll see) but also go for a brief “get acquainted” flight.

Once again, Ron Hoff does an extraordinary job putting together not only a humorous account of what happened but also captures the spirit of “Flight to Hartford” rather well.

Go grab yourself a cup of coffee, tea or whatever you like to drink and settle in for the next few minutes because I think you’re going to really get a kick out of this! It is recommended that you watch them in the following order:

Video 1

Video 2

Please forward these videos to your friends, family and everyone who you think would be inspired by what we are trying to do.

Food for thought: If Stephen and Ryan can achieve their dreams, why not you?

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I just learned that a man who helped me make my dreams of becoming a pilot seven years ago recently passed away. While I understand most of you didn’t know him, I want to share the story of how we met and the incredible impact he had on my life. I believe and hope you’ll be touched even if you’re not a pilot yourself.

We could all learn how to give selflessly like he did. I don’t know whether or not he was aware of the universal laws of attraction and giving but he was sure a good model for someone who did.

Here’s the story.

Right around the turn of the 21st century, I was still in the process of building my speaking and writing career so I was looking for a part-time job to pay the bills in between professional speaking engagements.

It was also at this time when I was already a month or two into flight training but my original instructor was offered a new job in Colorado so I was forced to find a replacement elsewhere.

One day, I had an inspiration to visit other airports to see if I could get a job at a place where they taught people how to fly. I thought, “Why not? Might as well shoot two birds with one stone.”

After visiting one or two and being told nothing was available, I decided to venture a little further out and try Oakland Troy airport, a 30 minute drive from my home.

It was nestled among a fast growing metropolitan area (Troy, Michigan, USA) complete with a new strip mall, new apartments, a giant Wal-Mart and an assortment of other industrial buildings. The only area with open space was a small golf course nearby. The airport was big enough to accommodate corporate jets yet small enough not to require an air traffic control tower.

Pulling onto the newly repaved airport parking lot, I noticed a small circular white terminal building up ahead.

“That must be where I can find the personnel department,” I thought.

Upon setting foot inside, I was surprised to see only a couple of people milling about, drinking coffee and reading the paper. A jovial looking man with rosy cheeks was pouring himself a steaming hot cup of coffee.

Seeing that I was a new face in the place, he set his coffee down and came barreling toward me at 800 mph with an outstretched hand. It startled the heck out of me.

After regaining my composure, I made the mistake of accepting his bone-crushing handshake, causing me to wince in pain.

Trying to hide my pained expression, I said, “Hi, my name is Stephen Hopson and I’m looking for the personnel department.”

“And I’m Don Solms,” he boomed. He was still pumping my now lifeless hand.

Finally releasing his grip, he said, “Oh, you want a job here?” His face brightened even more, if that were possible.

“Yes, do you know of any openings?” I was massaging my fatally injured hand, opening and closing it repeatedly.

“I think they might be looking for someone. HEY, let me take you over to the other building to Susan’s office. She’s the personnel director. COME ON!”

Just before going in her office, Don thrust his business card in my hand and said cheerfully, “Good luck. Shoot me an email later. You’ll have to come over to my hangar where I keep my plane. Okay?”

Keeping both hands within the safety confines of my pockets, I said, “Thanks Don.” I could tell he wanted another hand shake. Fat chance buddy!

Susan then introduced me to two guys named Carl Barnes and Jason Zimmerman. They were both young men who were in charge running flight services. The interview went well and I ended up being hired. As a line service rep, I would be responsible for fueling and towing airplanes, among other things. It marked the beginning of an incredible 4 years at that airport.

One day, Don was hanging out at his hangar where he kept his prized Skylane. It was sunny and breezy. His hangar door was wide open, allowing cool air to swirl around inside. It was an open invitation to anyone who happened to come by. Spotting me in the fuel truck (I was motoring my way back to the terminal after fueling a customer’s plane), he waved me in and offered me a cold soda.

Ten minutes into the conversation, my dreams of becoming a pilot somehow surfaced. I told him that I was actually looking for a new instructor and was trying to save up some money to resume flight training.

Before he could respond, my vibrating pager distracted me with a new text message. There was another fuel order and I had to get going.

“Don, I’ve gotta go – they are telling me to fuel another airplane. See ya later!”

As I got up to leave, he grabbed my arm and gave it a powerful squeeze. My mind did a quick flashback to that day in the terminal. This time his eyes were sparkling like stars. And he was grinning stupidly.

I was in no way prepared for what he was about to say next.

“I would be honored to be your flight instructor and I won’t charge you for my time. All you’d be responsible for is the cost of renting an airplane.”

My God, an angel was in my midst and I knew it.

Absentmindedly rubbing my arms to stem the tide of goose bumps that was spreading like wildfire all over my body, I said, “Wow, really? Thanks man!”

Then he turned serious for a moment and said, “When are you free for your first lesson?”

Thrown off balance since I didn’t expect it to happen so soon, I said, “Well, how about tomorrow?”

“Okay, you got it! ” he thundered. Then he winked as if he were saying, “our secret.”

The rest was history. He was true to his word. Months of flight training with this man proved to be quite an adventure.

He was best known as a jokester, even in the cockpit. Now you have to picture this in your mind. There we were, me, a deaf student pilot and him, a 250 pound flight instructor with a large football frame who liked to poke his elbow at me every time he made a joke. And get this…he thought everything he said was funny!

Ouch!

Aside from his wry sense humor, he was one of the most patient flight instructors I would ever have. Every time we got ready for a lesson, he’d explain in the classroom what we were going to do and then we’d go up and fly.

If he wanted to explain something while we were flying, he’d take control of the airplane while I read his lips and then we’d resume the lesson. Don was one of those rare flight instructors who did not care about building flight time for a future career with the airlines. He was in it for the long haul. In fact, it wasn’t until after 50 plus years of flying and instructing that he finally hung up his wings last year.

He truly enjoyed the fine art of teaching and it showed. He never yelled at his students like some flight instructors who think they are drill sergeants with big egos. His students were his prized possessions and he treated all of them with the respect they deserved.

On December 3, 2000 Don had one big surprise up his sleeve. It was a calm, sunny day. We were scheduled to do some practice takeoffs and landings. After doing three of them, he instructed me to taxi over to the ramp by the white terminal building where I first met him months earlier.

Trying to hide his delight, he said, “Let me see your logbook for a sec.”

Arching my right arm as far back as I could behind the front seats, I snatched the logbook out of my bulging black flight bag and gave it to him.

Suddenly it dawned on me that today was “the day.” He was going to sign me off for my first solo flight!

I felt an involuntary shudder.

After scribbling his signature, he turned and looked at me. His brown eyes were sparkling again. The smile was even bigger than before. He was absolutely giddy, like a child on Christmas morning.

“So Mr. Hopson, are you ready?” he thundered.

“Yes, Don, get the hell out!” I thundered back, half joking.

Roaring like a lion, Don heaved his 250 pound football frame out of the airplane, closed and locked the door with a loud click. Then he did something that forever burned in my mind.

Like a five-star general sending his young fighter pilots off to war, he gave me a smart salute!

I almost burst to tears. It was deeply touching. No one ever did that to me before. Despite being more than ready to solo, I still felt a touch of trepidation so I returned the favor with a slightly shaky hand. Thank God he was too far away to see that.

Taxiing into position on the runway, I took a deep breath and firewalled the throttle causing the airplane to literally leap into the air. I remember thinking, “so this is what everyone means when they say the plane will bounce into the air without your instructor!”

Within seconds after takeoff, all the training kicked in and it was just another exercise around the airport pattern. The only difference was…well, I was alone.

After three takeoffs and landings, the venerable flight instructor waved me over and gave the signal to cut the engine. He stood there like a proud papa and motioned for me to go over to where he was standing. Instead of shaking my hand, he wrapped his huge arms around me and gave me a bone crushing hug. But, hey, I didn’t mind.

Five months later, one day short of my birthday, he finally signed me off to take my pilot certification flight test (i.e. “checkride”) with Mary Carpenter, one of the toughest but fairest FAA examiners from the area. He and Terry Ryan (his airplane co-owner at the time), both accompanied me on the flight to Pontaic airport, a mere 10 minutes away where the examiner’s office was located. He wanted to be there when Mrs. Carpenter and I were done with the checkride.

Two hours later, the examiner walked briskly into the waiting area, smiled and said, “Congratulations, Stephen passed with flying colors!”

Don roared his approval.

We all went out to have our pictures taken by the airplane and that’s when he said to me, “I’ll sit in the back seat on the return flight. Congratulations Mr. Pilot in Command!”

It was the greatest, grandest gesture another human being could ever have bestowed upon me. I’ll never forget it. He was that kind of man. Don believed in me so much that he was literally the only person at that airport who believed I would one day become the world’s first deaf instrument rated pilot.

Six years later, I did it, defying every naysayer in the aviation business. In February 06, I became the world’s first deaf instrument rated pilot. For that I salute Don Solms for believing in me.

Here’s to you Don!

Click here for his obituary. Note a small insertion in there about a “hearing impaired pilot.” Can you guess who that was?

Food for thought: Have you considered the power of the law of giving and helped make someone else’s dream come true this week?

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