This I Believe

Recently read the book of essays entiled, This I Believe,  The Personal Philosophies Of Remarkable Men And Women edited by Jay Allison and Dan Gediman and have been thinking about what I believe in.  Here is an unedited post-morning coffee stream of consciousness regarding what I believe in. Would love to have you share your beliefs with me as well.

I believe in Integrity and Truthfulness

Standing up for what is right and just, not what is popular sentiment

Action and taking a stand vs. camping out on Wall Street and protesting

That any two committed individuals have the right to be together regardless of their sexual orientation

I am opposed to death of any kind: abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, mercy killing, WAR

I believe in self-sufficiency and the community (neighborhood, church, support group, whatever) taking care of its own and the government NOT giving out handouts

I believe in the power of education, both formal and informal and its ability to transform a life

I believe that there is a heaven of sorts, not necessarily a place, but a state of mind

I believe that evil does exist and it walks the land in the guise of human nature

I have strong faith and love my Catholic religion while recognizing that other faith communities exist alongside- whether they are Christian or not.

I believe any individual who has led a good and faith-filled life will enter that state of mind called Heaven regardless of whether they are Catholic or Christian, Muslim or Hindu.

I believe in holding on to dreams and using them as guideposts for living.

I believe in the power to transform lives through actions and mighty endeavors.

I believe that you can have many loves in your life.

I believe that the power of friendship is more valuable than all the oil in the world.

I believe in believing in YOU.

 What do you believe in?

Copyright Michelle Beckham-Corbin 2011-2012

"Becoming the Best Version of Yourself"

Attended a Dream Manager Workshop given by the inspirational Catholic spiritual speaker Matthew Kelly last week. There were nearly 500 people gathered together in my college alma mater meeting space, Xavier University's Cintas Center. Daniel Johnson Jr., founder of local networking group, New Media Cincinnati and I sat among strangers and friends all seeking the wisdom to be found in pursuing our dreams.

Matthew Kelly has teamed up with Amend Consulting to offer the Dream Manager Program to companies and to individuals. The main thrust of the program according to the literature:

"The Dream Manager Program is a unique program that combines traditional business planning principles with an original system of personal life-coaching. People become more engaged at work and in life."

The point is that if you have dreams that can be fulfilled in your personal life, then you will be more productive in your work life and focused on achieving goals and dreams there as well.

Who doesn't want to have a Dream Manager coaching them to reach for the stars? The first thing to do is to list every dream that you have. Some people were able to list nearly 100 dreams in the short time that we worked on one of the workshop assignments! List your dreams and start setting realistic goals to achieve them.

I feel fortunate that for the most part, I have lived my entire life following my dreams. Sure, I have a few that I haven't gotten to, but the point is that when you have that list and you are working toward achieving those goals, you become a happier, more fulfilled person. In that state, you are able to give even more to the people who depend upon your leadership.

Here are a few key nuggets that I took away and simultaneously tweeted (multi-tasking is hell sometimes, lol!):

• BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF
• FUNDAMENTAL DRIVER IN LIFE: PEOPLE WANT TO BE HAPPY
• PEOPLE ARE ATTRACTED TO LVL 4 HIGH ENERGY PEOPLE (confident, joyful, enthusiastic, invigorating people)
• TRANSITION SPACE BETWEEN THE PRESENT AND FUTURE IS CALLED "KRAZYTIME"
• MOST POWERFUL THINGS IN THE WORLD ARE DREAMS
• BRAND THE DREAM, BRAND THE VISION
• ENGAGED PEOPLE CAN INFLUENCE THE FUTURE

I am completely sold on the program, so come fall, you will find me in a small group in the Dream Manager Public Forum Program. Care to join me in becoming the best version of yourself possible?


Copyright Michelle Beckham-Corbin 2009

HAPPY 2009!!!!

Glitter Text @ Glitterfy.com


It's always a strange sensation to begin using a new year on correspondence, checks, etc. in the early days of January. The physical act of writing the new year down feels like an outside force has whisked away the old year and left me with this imposter: this unknown entity. I will try it on for size, some years longing for what I have lost and in other years, quickly wanting to make it my own. It is the same with the moments leading up to the New Year's Eve countdown. Sometimes I feel nostalgic and restless, not wanting to let go of the wonderful year that I have- afraid of the unknown stretching out before me. In other years, the glittery silver behomoth can't drop quickly enough for me.

As I stand at the crossroads between 2008 and 2009, I have to say that I had a fabulous last year. One filled with great things, many blessings and many opportunities. This was the year that I found myself and I am very glad that I did!

2009 also looks to be another great year that will capitalize on the strides and plans made in 2008. Although we never know what kind of curve balls will come our way, it is my belief that if we live life to the fullest: enjoying and appreciating every person, every moment, every nuance of living, then we should be able to dodge any silver bullets launched our way or, at the very least, be in a better position to handle the fall-out.

Here's hoping you have the most fabulous 2009 that one can experience!

RECLAIMING ME WHILE TAKING A STAND

A voice is calling me from afar

A muted voice, muffled by the fog of distance

Calling me home

Calling me back

Calling me to reclaim my soul

Its time to move forward

To take a stand

To take those gifts of nurture, guidance and firm hand

To cast a wider net

Letting those qualities of leadership and organization

Be used for a greater good

In order to touch many more people

People in need of inspiration

The whispers begin in a soft hush

And with each question, the tone and volume increase

Exponentially until by the last, there is a cacophony in my head

Begging for action to stop the pain

These are the questions

That now creep through the shroud of fog,

Entering my brain like tiny carpenter ants

Drilling into my subconscious mind:

What do you stand for?

What do you believe in?

What is of importance outside your immediate family?

What will you fight for?

What will you die for?

What is the ultimate sacrifice?

Until one can answer these questions

They will remain stuck in a sludge of indecision

Letting their minds follow the shallow breath of the wind

Like swiveling heads at a tennis tournament