My last day in a television newsroom was March 26, 2006. I decided to take a huge leap of faith and do what I love on my own terms. Plus I was totally sick of “breaking news” and the sensationalism and inaccuracy of the news business.
Three months later, my first book was published: Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age. It told my life story as a 40-something year-old woman dealing with subjects like working for younger know-it-alls, being back on the dating scene after 40 and suffering through menopause---all kinds of drama. With the book came a book tour, television appearances and speaking engagements. All of a sudden I was a go-to gal for baby boomers and I became a baby boomer expert. Life was good. PLUS the book became a best seller on Amazon.
From there, I created Boomer Diva Nation and started connecting with other women in my age group who were doing wonderful things to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others. I also became an entrepreneur and formed a consulting start-up known as BAMedia. As a media consultant, I offered my expertise to my fellow boomers to help them get a leg up in their businesses. My motto was: “If it’s your time to shine, I can help you turn on the spotlight.”
I was networking my behind off. If there was an event, I was there trying to be seen AND heard. I wanted others to see my gifts, talents and expertise. I wanted them to know I had what they needed. I wanted to help them.
Two things I know FOR SURE about me: 1) I am a natural when it comes to being able to communicate. 2) I love helping others shine and helping them tell their own stories.
I was so sure this was the journey I was supposed to on. But as they say, a funny thing happened on the way to.....
In my case, a not-so-funny-thing-happened-on-the-way-to-success.
I thought I had an entrepreneurial spirit that was shining so brightly that people around me would have to wear sunglasses just to be in my presence. But little did I know, spirit is not the same as heart.
So what went wrong? Stay tuned for the next post.
Showing posts with label whatever a baby boomers journey into middle age. Show all posts
Showing posts with label whatever a baby boomers journey into middle age. Show all posts
Sunday, October 06, 2013
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Divine Ms. Nikki G
Once again, the Divine Ms. Nikki Giovanni has proven that she knows how to woo a crowd! She's been doing it for nearly 40 years with her poetry and other writings but on Tuesday, she showed her true compassion in such a way that turned a completely sad moment in time into a time of jublilation.
Her Hokie Pride speech brought tears to my eyes because I know how much love she has for Virginia Tech. I also know how much she is personally hurting because of her genuine care and concern for each and every student there. Just a few months ago, I had the privilege of interviewing her about going back to teach. It was inspiring to hear this internationally renowned poet and author express her desire to create a new generation of talented writers---which I have no doubt she is doing.
I became a fan of Nikki G years ago when she burst onto the poetry scene. I became an even bigger fan when she reviewed and endorsed my book, "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age." Today, I hold her in the highest esteem for who she truly is on the inside.
Here is her speech:
“We are Virginia Tech. We are sad today and we will be sad for quite awhile. WE are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech. We are strong enough to know when to cry and sad enough to know we must laugh again. We are Virginia Tech. We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did not deserve it but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, but neither do the invisible children walking the night to avoid being captured by a rogue army. Neither does the baby elephant watching his community be devastated for ivory; neither does the Appalachian infant in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy. We are Virginia Tech. The Hokier Nation embraces our own with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid. We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imagination and the possibility we will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears, through all this sadness. We are the Hokies. We will prevail, we will prevail. We are Virginia Tech. "
Her Hokie Pride speech brought tears to my eyes because I know how much love she has for Virginia Tech. I also know how much she is personally hurting because of her genuine care and concern for each and every student there. Just a few months ago, I had the privilege of interviewing her about going back to teach. It was inspiring to hear this internationally renowned poet and author express her desire to create a new generation of talented writers---which I have no doubt she is doing.
I became a fan of Nikki G years ago when she burst onto the poetry scene. I became an even bigger fan when she reviewed and endorsed my book, "Whatever! A Baby Boomer's Journey Into Middle Age." Today, I hold her in the highest esteem for who she truly is on the inside.
Here is her speech:
“We are Virginia Tech. We are sad today and we will be sad for quite awhile. WE are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech. We are strong enough to know when to cry and sad enough to know we must laugh again. We are Virginia Tech. We do not understand this tragedy. We know we did not deserve it but neither does a child in Africa dying of AIDS, but neither do the invisible children walking the night to avoid being captured by a rogue army. Neither does the baby elephant watching his community be devastated for ivory; neither does the Appalachian infant in the middle of the night in his crib in the home his father built with his own hands being run over by a boulder because the land was destabilized. No one deserves a tragedy. We are Virginia Tech. The Hokier Nation embraces our own with open heart and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds. We are strong and brave and innocent and unafraid. We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be. We are alive to the imagination and the possibility we will continue to invent the future through our blood and tears, through all this sadness. We are the Hokies. We will prevail, we will prevail. We are Virginia Tech. "
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