My home is regularly filled with hungry teenagers looking for tasty morsels of food and bite size conversation that they can gulp down with a freshly whipped up smoothie. These energetic teens crowd my kitchen and empty my cupboards. I don’t mind. They are respectful and eager to clean up after their social feast. 

Very often, we engage, we chat about life events, challenge and change, the price of gas at the local pump and what’s brewing in their day-to-day life.

Conversation bounces about. Ideas are inflated and deflated. Some topics take shape and some lie flat. There are no score pads, just a whole lot of exclamation marks! …giggles and smoothie slurps too!

Some of these young people seem content to romp and play for now. They don’t appear rushed or stressed. Indeed, they seem to be growing up at a healthy pace. Others are focused on test scores and finding ways for academic studies to take them away from home. All are in exploration and discovery mode. 

One young man who has being doing a co-op told me he now no longer wishes to be a car mechanic.  Instead, he now believes he wishes to help inspire and mend people – maybe become a social worker. The change has put a bit of monkey wrench in immediate plans but he seems confident it will all get sorted and fixed up. A confident young lady of 18 years blurted out that, though she has received a scholarship and has a glowing portfolio, she’d like to ditch the routine and let loose for a year or two. She’s mapped out a travel plan and has applied for her passport. Most have applied for college or university. Some are eager to be accepted, others have been accepted but not sure if they will go. ALL wish to be happy & healthy. All are living today. All show brilliant promise. All have the potential to become great leaders. All are finding their way and discovering pathways to learning; step by step, one day at a time. All are in exploration mode.

As parents, educators and professionals we need to listen and chat ‘with’ our children and teens. It is not for us to always assess. Chatting is not judging, it is listening and learning. Sometimes it is best to just allow people to express their hopes and dreams. Voicing passion and desire out loud helps us to hear our own thoughts and then internally digest. It’s an excellent exercise that often leads to deeper, more enriched engagement. We too as parents may be surprised at what we discover along the way. After all, we are all students of the universe.

I believe our youth do have heart and energy. I believe they will lead with courage and greatness. I also believe it is time we start celebrating all the things that people are doing right in the world and stop giving air time to the negative. 
Let’s engage with an open, positive spirit and allow new individuality and energy to flow.

The current to carry healthy ideas is strong. Let us take the plunge and go with the flow. Believe in our youth.  Encourage our future leaders to create and enjoy a positive splash in life!  Start today with a bite-sized chat and a freshly whipped up smoothie.

Possibility Thinkers seek to open pathways, unblock communication and discover new life destinations through people, love, perseverance, connectivity and the ultimate belief that there is  potential and growth in possibility.

Possibility Thinkers are non-accepting of any notion that our fate may be pre-determined, rather they believe that we, ourselves as individuals, create our own fate. How?  By going forth into the world with courage, positive thinking, hope and a strong belief in human-kind.  It’s a brave new world and Possibility Thinkers go forth with courage and a clear vision of their destination.

Of course with long reach , mind expansion and courage comes challenge.  Possibility Thinkers accept challenge because they have a keen understanding that life challenges are not life-blockers that deflate.  Rather, life  challenges are opportunities that  create awareness  and shine light on who we are, deeply and whole-heartedly. Life challenges are like sign posts that guide us to make the positive changes we have to make in order to go the distance and reach our goals.

Possibility Thinkers are never alone.  They share much with all kinds of people everywhere, locally and globally.  Possibility Thinkers especially share connectivity with  Positivity Leaders. In fact the two share a relationship like Bees to Honey.  Tastefully and purposefully, they harmonize and create a sweet buzz that resonates without a sting. This of course makes absolute common sense, when we take time to digest and consider a little known fact: …It takes one ounce of honey to fuel a bee’s flight around the world.

Remarkable? Absolutely.  Naturally awe-inspiring? Undoubtedly.

This simple and incredible fact is a sweet example of what is possible and sweetly,  realistically actionable. Certainly if a bee, a tiny insect, can circle the globe on one ounce of honey, it ‘s exhilarating to think how we as a society could create a buzz if we carried our positive message around the world.   Imagine the possibilities that  could and would take flight if we invested in the stock  and value of Possibility Thinkers. The dividends would be huge! And certainly as sweet as honey!  Why, it’s even possible goodness could soar to great heights.

In order to wrap our thoughts around the enormous magnitude of the potential and influence we are now imagining, lets look at Positivity Leadership and Possibility Thinkers from this standpoint:  The opposite of Positivity is Negativity.  The Opposite of Possibility is Impossibility & Infeasibility.  If we all agree that negativity & impossibility are not choices that serve well then we ultimately agree that Positivity & Possibility matter.  In actuality, when we do this simple mind exercise, we begin to fully recognize the importance of pro-active  choices and the key roles they play in effective Positivity Leadership.  Simply put, we cannot begin, we cannot rise up, we cannot accomplish and  become architects of change without partnering with Positivity and enlisting Possibility thinkers.

If our goal is to propel positive forward, create sustainability, invest in positive living , close communication gaps,  bridge global connectivity and enjoy the sweet nectar of  our human-kind abilities,  then the time is “Ripe Now.”  …The time is “Ripe Now” to explore, create and experience a new way of shaping our vision and leading with universal appeal.  Like bees to honey, we need to drink in the sweet goodness of human nature and make a positive impact on the world.

Mindfully & purposefully, Positivity Leadership is heart-felt, hopeful and bright.  Personally and professionally we need to become Possibility thinkers so that we can unlock closed minds and open pathways that channel key ingredients to feed life and business success.  We live in a world abundant with possibility.  Let us create a buzz!  Become a Possibility Thinker and follow Positivity Leadership.

In celebration of people, in a courageous attempt to create a movement, to ignite enthusiasm, elevate energy and connect pro-active change to a better life, inspirational leaders are born!

Inspiring leaders are individuals,parents and professionals.They can be the neighbour who lives next door,the parent who delivers lessons at home or the personality we see in the big chair on a television set.Inspiring Leaders,whoever they may be, are uniquely awesome people.

Sometimes seemingly unreasonable and radical Inspirational leaders are by nature pro-active, tenacious, passionate, enthusiastic and positively intent on achieving a new kind of success.

Inspirational Leaders focus on success that has ‘pay it forward’ quality and attraction. These days that kind of success is worth talking about because it not only makes ordinary cents that add up, it makes real common sense that leads  people to do extraordinary things.

Contrary to popular belief pro-active inspirational leaders are more than charismatic.  Yes, many have style and panache but beyond that they are visionaries with deep rooted core values.  They contribute new meaning to positive service and have a keen knack for figuring out ways to help others.  We should take stock of their abilities and skills and fasten our seatbelts to their high energy and enthusiasm.  Why? Because without a doubt, Inspirational leaders can take us places we may have otherwise never attempted to go.  “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” is often the mantra you will hear as an Inspirational Leader sets out to reinvent or maybe even save the world!

An inspiring culture empowers, energizes and excites people to act and connect.  Positive connection leads to exalting energy, ignites enthusiasm and encourages potential in each and every one of us. True, only you can decide if this kind of movement will exercise your mind, increase your pulse and uplift you enough to rise up every morning with mission driven visionary inspiration.  But , if you can open your heart to the possibility of inspiring someone in your life just a little bit each and every day, that, in of itself, would make a pro-active positive difference. You may indeed create a stir and brew up more than conversation.  Every drop of inspiration contributed will add up. A cup full of inspiration can do more than re-charge your batteries, it can make you feel like a whole new person with refreshed vitality.

How can we awaken our spirit and feel inspired? Don’t be stingy with praise. Be generous with love and care, especially with your children. Embrace each day with fresh attitude and embark on every journey with hope and enthusiasm.  Creatively seek ways to motivate colleagues in your work place. Be aware that the people you work alongside are sensational human beings. Communicate, engage and listen intently.  People’s stories can offer enlightenment and help you to be an authentic, whole-hearted Inspirational leader.

Above all, if you are ready to shift into the positivity lane and drive change forward in the world, do it! Now is the time!  Locally and globally, people everywhere wish to feel, look and BE sensational.  It’s a natural fact of life.  We can keep perspiring about the serious issues we are facing and the unbelievable mess we are creating, OR … we can rise Up and Inspire.

Dare to care. Inspire people to be pro-active, not re-active.  Inspire people to make transformational change that will benefit us not deplete us.  Simply, inspire people to be the best they can be and go with courage and heart to celebrate our “We” World.  If we create this movement, we will truly begin to explore and discover the magnificence that lives within us and the magnitude of sustainable beauty that lives all around us.

Inspirational leaders unite. You are the driving voice in change.

Let’s go the distance!

The thread of a well stitched and crafted story can weave together the fabric for a magnificent quilt that can warmly invite people to take notice of your business, cause and even leadership style.  A beautiful patch-work quilt creatively and deliberately depicts stories of people and in many ways can begin to art their life portfolio.  Jagged cut outs of courage, odd shapes of challenge, open circles of change all make for wonderful conversation. No matter our age or our occupation in life, colourful, child-like imagination always makes for quite a spread!  Great storytelling is illuminating and contagious too. It will encourage you to shine and share! 

Storytelling is like an amazing collage of words and imagery that stretch out to people. It can get under your skin, blow your mind, warm your heart and even raise your spirits and put you in motion. Storytelling can be a mood changer and it can certainly influence people beyond measure.  With loving care and vibrant panache, storytelling can warmly captivate  audience attention.  Indeed storytelling can lead you in many directions and act as a guiding light in business.

The cascading stream of stories that ebb and flow in and out of our lives offer compelling testament to who we are as individuals and as leaders in the world at large. Embedded in the chapters of our life-storybooks is where one will find the true essence of our soul-purpose, core values and our inevitable compelling passion for communication.  As a way of minding our business, we can communicate our authenticity by sharing stories of our en route journey. In sharing and exchanging our business adventures , we widen our pathways and allow for more people to travel along with us.

Storytelling is everyone’s business.  It is the greatest gift and talent a person and business leader can possess and freely share.  Storytelling packs personality & drives impact.  It is, in my opinion, one of the most enchanting, and effective, mind-expanding and positive change promoting super talents any person can possibly have.   And it is underused, underplayed, underestimated and hugely untold.  The beauty of storytelling is that it can be a complex creative endevour that spans across multiple media platforms. It can be comfortable engagement with people in your living room, or it can be an eventful and memorable experience at  a festival.  No mater the place or space, rhyme or reason, storytelling allows us to look within, look out and connect with others and wholeheartedly find common ground.  Stories are social and they often give us “Aha” moments.  There is no time like the present to engage, enrich and empower one another.  Storytelling is healthy, energetic, educational, fun and universal; highly sensational in my books!  I strongly encourage us to enjoy.

Behind every rising business there are uniquely awesome individuals with an array of fascinating stories.   Passionate, people-oriented leaders communicate these stories because they know storytelling can build bridges and create emotional connection. Powerful storytelling is fuelled with real life zest and appeal. It can shake you to your core, bring you to your feet and inspire you to make outstanding change.  Tantalizing stories can mix sweet and sour and stir up an audience until the engagement is like a lip smacking magic portion that makes you squint; it’s so awe-inspiring.   Moreover, the voice of a great story can travel and break through barriers. It can put your business on the map!  It can change the life of one or be the message for many to carry.  Storytelling is a gift.  Tell your story with the best of intentions and it will attract the best of attention!

The time is now for us to exchange stories and learn about each others truth and talent, hopes and dreams.  Whether you are a prominent business leader, a terrific stay at home mom,  a chef with healthy recipes to share, a dynamic personality with a song in your heart, or a stylish  communicator who travels the globe,  storytelling  gives your business a human-kind heartbeat.  Real life storytelling shared with soul-purpose reminds us that really and truly we are all in the business of making emotional connection and joining people together.

Start today.  Share your story.  Make storytelling everyone’s business.

When I and “we” make connection we begin to put synergy in motion.  If the world  is our magical theater then it truly is likely, and moreover possible, that if we imagine, believe and achieve synergy and communication in our everyday lives, we can begin to approach greatness and maybe even do something sensational and of epic proportions.

So where to begin?  Well… with People First of course!  “People First” is the mantra we should all sing out! And we should do it often and with the intent to create synergy.  We must listen and we must be open. We must do this so that we hear the song of many voices projecting and delivering the lyrics of a positive and powerful message that can uplift and travel far. Mighty distances are crossed because the sum total of people’s combined energy, talents and desire can create an updraft that can carry us farther than we could achieve all on our own.  When there is synergy we  can practically and creatively rise up as a community, as a nation, and as a world to create a pulsating, positive message that, when propelled forward, can dynamically change the rhythm of life for our self and for many.

People First starts with me.  In order for synergy to happen, I must be aware of myself and confident enough in my soul that I can join with others without losing my own sense of purpose and desire. This comes, I think, when I value trust and am open to vulnerability.  This comes when I am accountable so that I am worthy and others see that too. This comes when I give to an optimistic, childlike belief in positivity so that all things may be transformed from “Impossible to I am possible”.

People First continues with my connection to others.  Once “I” am able and once “I” am strong enough, I can give over to the possibility of something bigger and better than myself.  I can allow that my efforts will make the world a better place, a richer place…. And so, I will be content.  I will prosper.

People First ends with You!  If you subscribe along side me, then it works for the better.  If I subscribe, along side you, then it works, it works for “we”.  If we trust, and if we allow our trust to build connectivity, then our world is brighter for all to shine and indeed it will be a “wee” bit better.

Here we are.  Here we BE.  You and Me. 

Living our soul purpose.  Working on weaving our dreams.  Playing fiddle to our most treasured tunes.

Here , There and  Everywhere the scenic route of life lies in-between.

Individually we are Unique.  Collectively we are a rainbow of colour and character.

All Together …“WE” are human.

Whole-heartedly You and Me – we make connections from earth to sky and birth to death. We spark energy in the dead of night and shade in our dreams in the brilliance of daylight.

Liberally we breathe in universal oxygen. Deliberately we exhale from our heart-space. Passionately we exchange “I believe in YOU”.  Purposefully we grow with intention.  Tastefully we blend and dabble in flavourful experience. Mindfully we develop actions and crank ignition.  Creatively we communicate  with words that dance and imagery that flows.  Independently and dependently we navigate life’s many journeys with our internal GPS systems –

…and why?

Because we are ALL in discovery mode, all in transition and all in search of happiness in our

“WE” World.

The time is “Ripe now” for a “WE World”.  We have evolved. We have come to know that: No sustainable life was ever achieved by one person alone.  No business of true value will ever be mounted by one single talent.

In a “WE” World we as people can root human-kind and blossom. We as business can plant  opportunities and watch them grow. We as social communities can branch out and rise up to share local life with global care.

Click here to see the transcript from the May 15th TweetChat – Conscious Capitalism

Bird’s “I” View

of Individuality

It was a morning brimming with promise. It was a day full of planning, check marks and last minute detail. Empty suitcases lay on my bedroom floor waiting to be packed.  Clothes were both hanging and folded in readiness for a ‘life’ event. A very official looking leather portfolio case lay on my half-made bed, along with  my passport and some important papers that had been carefully clipped together.  This black leather folder  was eye catching, probably because  its dark colour made it so obvious on the soft flouncy, light weight duvet.  It stood out in the room.

This handsome black leather folder was the official keeper of important matters. It held lists, guest names, telephone numbers and last minute important details of things to do and people to call before night closed in.  As I mentioned, it was a morning full of promise, planning, check marks and last minute detail.

It was early June.  The air was warm and the sun was bright.  It was the kind of morning that invited you to smile and dream.  It was the kind of morning that encouraged you to stretch your imagination and believe in fairytales.  It was the kind of morning females have before going off to be married.  In my case, the next morning would find me on a plane with my fiancé, family and friends.  We would fly to Barbados to play and celebrate for a week before our romantic wedding ceremony. The very special day every girl imagines; tradition, ceremony, relationship and life long commitment – all the ingredients for a happy “life” event.

Most everything had been taken care of – so this morning was really a press and pack time.  And of course, I wanted to ‘dial’ in some chat time on the phone with my father.  He was living in Montreal, in the same apartment building we had once shared as a family when I was a young school girl.  My parents had been separated for what now seemed like eons but realistically was probably more like twenty years or so. Except for my father, I had no family left in Montreal. Everyone had over the years relocated to Toronto, Vancouver, Europe, Barbados – we were dotted all over the map. When it came time to planning the logistics of my wedding, my mother was quick to reassure me that having my father present would for her, not be an issue of any kind.  I flew back and forth to Montreal several times, first to introduce my finance and then afterwards on my own to impart all the highlights of the upcoming event.  My father seemed happy and proud when I asked him to walk me down the aisle and give me away to my future husband. He liked my fiancé, David.  All in all, I was delighted.

That was twenty- one years ago, almost to date.  I was married June 9 1990.    That morning, so many years ago, I did call my father to chat about promise, check marks and last minute details.  It was the last time my father and I have ever spoken. I have not seen or heard from him since.  He did not attend my wedding. Indeed he never contacted me, or anyone in my family ever again. If my father is still alive he will be 92 years of age this year.  I will never understand what transpired that morning that changed my fathers mind to attend his daughter’s wedding.  That is in the past now and his actions cannot be undone.  I would however like him to know that I am at peace with the past.  I want only for him to know that I have moved away from asking myself “why and what if”? I have digested the fact that I will probably never have the answers to these questions.

I am no longer on a quest to find the answers. What I do know for sure, is that all is not in vain and all is not lost for I have learned that the gift of choice is precious.  We are, I believe, not accountable for the choices that others make.  We are only accountable for the choices we choose to make ourselves.  And so Today, on this Fathers Day, I choose to let go of the “not knowing” and I choose to accept that the time my father and I did have together was meant to be enough.

Tara

I appreciate and value connection.  I believe you do too.

I am newbie to twitter.  My relationship with twitter is fresh and exciting.  In some ways I am like a love-struck girl who cannot wait for the next Twitter date.

I am thrilled and impressed by what I see and like about Twitter.  I am fascinated and challenged by what I dislike about Twitter. Truth be told the global connection that Twitter offers is striking. It sparks my interest. I am awe-inspired by the Sensational people who share worthy information on Twitter. I am appreciative of the extra-ordinary people engaging on Twitter. Every day I read remarkable stories and hear their desire to share openly and give generously of their time and talent.  I am grateful for the opportunity to exchange ‘snapshots’ of ideas and thoughts.

It has become evident to me that Twitter is a tool that allows us to sharpen our communication skills. With only 140 characters to work with each word should be carefully crafted so that it has both feeling and meaning. Not an easy task given the fact that time is always of the essence and ‘impression and interpretation is always key’.

Twitter, in my mind is a gateway to relationship investment and enrichment.  This is the reason I view Tweets like works of Art. A few Positive words can Ignite Connection and begin to create relationship. One Tweet, crafted with the best of intentions, can reach out to people across the globe and encourage conversation that translates in relationship big or small, fleeting or everlasting. The choice is ours but the power and empowerment of connection remains an energy that circles the Universe. With a mere 140 character strokes we can touch lives in a blink of an eye. That truly is Sensational.

And so, to me, Twitter words should flow as brushstrokes. When we at least attempt to design each Tweet as if it were 140 character masterpiece we then start to create an ‘art form of communication’.  As we know, throughout history and probably forever more Art will continue to speak volumes because we as people connect with various styles and fashions of communication. We are all thoughtfully creative in our own unique way.  An ‘Art form of communication’ allows us to express our unique individuality and our message to the world by connecting words to conversation.  Words allow us to weave our thoughts together. With this in mind, I feel “Twitter is a platform” and ‘tweets are an art form’ that become our signature!”

In celebration,

Tara

“YOU be YOU” – Live Positive – Make the Connection!

www.taramarkus.com