good morning hello everyone nice to be here
here
here I am Donna Drake and this is an exciting
I am Donna Drake and this is an exciting
I am Donna Drake and this is an exciting moment for me to be able to be here
moment for me to be able to be here
moment for me to be able to be here talking to all of you I’ve always wanted
talking to all of you I’ve always wanted
talking to all of you I’ve always wanted to participate in a TED event a TEDx
to participate in a TED event a TEDx
to participate in a TED event a TEDx event so this is my first time so thank
event so this is my first time so thank
event so this is my first time so thank you so much for being here I appreciate
you so much for being here I appreciate
you so much for being here I appreciate you it’s so exciting so I grew up in st.
you it’s so exciting so I grew up in st.
you it’s so exciting so I grew up in st. Louis Missouri and growing up in st.
Louis Missouri and growing up in st.
Louis Missouri and growing up in st. Louis Missouri was interesting and I
Louis Missouri was interesting and I
Louis Missouri was interesting and I loved my Midwestern heritage but for
loved my Midwestern heritage but for
loved my Midwestern heritage but for some reason I was bullied when I was a
some reason I was bullied when I was a
some reason I was bullied when I was a kid and I decided that I wanted to grow
kid and I decided that I wanted to grow
kid and I decided that I wanted to grow up and be famous because I thought that
up and be famous because I thought that
up and be famous because I thought that if I became famous the kids that were
if I became famous the kids that were
if I became famous the kids that were bullying me we’re gonna be nicer to me
bullying me we’re gonna be nicer to me
bullying me we’re gonna be nicer to me that they’re gonna be I’ll be like oh
that they’re gonna be I’ll be like oh
that they’re gonna be I’ll be like oh they’re gonna wish that they were nicer
they’re gonna wish that they were nicer
they’re gonna wish that they were nicer to me because now I’m famous well it’s
to me because now I’m famous well it’s
to me because now I’m famous well it’s very funny because the children that I
very funny because the children that I
very funny because the children that I grew up with now are some of my closest
grew up with now are some of my closest
grew up with now are some of my closest friends and they support me and they’re
friends and they support me and they’re
friends and they support me and they’re like all we knew you’d grow up to do
like all we knew you’d grow up to do
like all we knew you’d grow up to do great things
great things
great things but today I’m going to be talking on
but today I’m going to be talking on
but today I’m going to be talking on figuring out your consistent unique
figuring out your consistent unique
figuring out your consistent unique strengths finding your it’s in life so
strengths finding your it’s in life so
strengths finding your it’s in life so like I said when I was in second grade I
like I said when I was in second grade I
like I said when I was in second grade I was getting bullied and my singing
was getting bullied and my singing
was getting bullied and my singing teacher mrs. Bing er said to me Donna
teacher mrs. Bing er said to me Donna
teacher mrs. Bing er said to me Donna you have an amazing singing voice and I
you have an amazing singing voice and I
you have an amazing singing voice and I said thank you and I put my hands on my
said thank you and I put my hands on my
said thank you and I put my hands on my hip and I said and I’m gonna be famous
hip and I said and I’m gonna be famous
hip and I said and I’m gonna be famous and she laughed and she says okay great
and she laughed and she says okay great
and she laughed and she says okay great good to know you know and as the years
good to know you know and as the years
good to know you know and as the years rolled by when I was in sixth grade I
rolled by when I was in sixth grade I
rolled by when I was in sixth grade I told my mom I said I’m not gonna die in
told my mom I said I’m not gonna die in
told my mom I said I’m not gonna die in small town florists at Missouri I’m
small town florists at Missouri I’m
small town florists at Missouri I’m either gonna go to New York or
either gonna go to New York or
either gonna go to New York or California why because I’m gonna be
California why because I’m gonna be
California why because I’m gonna be famous she’s like okay Donna Marie
famous she’s like okay Donna Marie
famous she’s like okay Donna Marie that’s great that’s wonderful when I was
that’s great that’s wonderful when I was
that’s great that’s wonderful when I was about 12 I auditioned for a patriotic
about 12 I auditioned for a patriotic
about 12 I auditioned for a patriotic singing group called the futures of
singing group called the futures of
singing group called the futures of America and through that we sang songs
America and through that we sang songs
America and through that we sang songs from the 30s to the 70s we did a
from the 30s to the 70s we did a
from the 30s to the 70s we did a patriotic finale we would sing at camps
patriotic finale we would sing at camps
patriotic finale we would sing at camps for children that were disabled we sang
for children that were disabled we sang
for children that were disabled we sang for veterans so I kind of grew up with
for veterans so I kind of grew up with
for veterans so I kind of grew up with this I guess personality and my it at
this I guess personality and my it at
this I guess personality and my it at that time was trying to be a cheerleader
that time was trying to be a cheerleader
that time was trying to be a cheerleader if you will for people brands and causes
if you will for people brands and causes
if you will for people brands and causes as I grew up through the years I really
as I grew up through the years I really
as I grew up through the years I really did want to move to New York my mom got
did want to move to New York my mom got
did want to move to New York my mom got sick when I was in high school and she
sick when I was in high school and she
sick when I was in high school and she was always my biggest fan
was always my biggest fan
was always my biggest fan and she had breast cancer and that was a
and she had breast cancer and that was a
and she had breast cancer and that was a really changing moment in my life where
really changing moment in my life where
really changing moment in my life where I had to become resilient and I had to
I had to become resilient and I had to
I had to become resilient and I had to be resourceful so here I was getting
be resourceful so here I was getting
be resourceful so here I was getting married having my first child and my mom
married having my first child and my mom
married having my first child and my mom died and she was always the person in my
died and she was always the person in my
died and she was always the person in my life that said oh that’s my baby I’m so
life that said oh that’s my baby I’m so
life that said oh that’s my baby I’m so proud of you and I no longer had that
proud of you and I no longer had that
proud of you and I no longer had that cheerleader in my life I had to become a
cheerleader in my life I had to become a
cheerleader in my life I had to become a cheerleader for myself after I got an
cheerleader for myself after I got an
cheerleader for myself after I got an opportunity to move to New York with my
opportunity to move to New York with my
opportunity to move to New York with my first husband because he got a new job I
first husband because he got a new job I
first husband because he got a new job I was very excited so here I was with a
was very excited so here I was with a
was very excited so here I was with a newborn child Andrew and we decided
newborn child Andrew and we decided
newborn child Andrew and we decided before we moved to New York that we’re
before we moved to New York that we’re
before we moved to New York that we’re gonna take a trip to California and we
gonna take a trip to California and we
gonna take a trip to California and we did but I was in the Northridge
did but I was in the Northridge
did but I was in the Northridge earthquake that year and Elise was a
earthquake that year and Elise was a
earthquake that year and Elise was a little tiny little baby and she was
little tiny little baby and she was
little tiny little baby and she was resting in this little cradle and when
resting in this little cradle and when
resting in this little cradle and when the earthquake hit something I was
the earthquake hit something I was
the earthquake hit something I was familiar about being prepared for
familiar about being prepared for
familiar about being prepared for because growing up in st. Louis they’re
because growing up in st. Louis they’re
because growing up in st. Louis they’re always talking about the New Madrid
always talking about the New Madrid
always talking about the New Madrid fault I woke up and I thought an
fault I woke up and I thought an
fault I woke up and I thought an airplane was landing and I was like
airplane was landing and I was like
airplane was landing and I was like what’s going on and I ran because Elise
what’s going on and I ran because Elise
what’s going on and I ran because Elise was sleeping in this little cradle well
was sleeping in this little cradle well
was sleeping in this little cradle well luckily she wasn’t there because a lamp
luckily she wasn’t there because a lamp
luckily she wasn’t there because a lamp had fallen in the cradle and she would
had fallen in the cradle and she would
had fallen in the cradle and she would have been crushed I had forgot that in
have been crushed I had forgot that in
have been crushed I had forgot that in the middle of the night I had woke up –
the middle of the night I had woke up –
the middle of the night I had woke up – she woke up to feed her Inge and she was
she woke up to feed her Inge and she was
she woke up to feed her Inge and she was near me she was with me so we all went
near me she was with me so we all went
near me she was with me so we all went into the bathroom and crazy things were
into the bathroom and crazy things were
into the bathroom and crazy things were happening and televisions were flying
happening and televisions were flying
happening and televisions were flying across the room and I said to somebody I
across the room and I said to somebody I
across the room and I said to somebody I said was this like a normal thing that
said was this like a normal thing that
said was this like a normal thing that people go through because I didn’t want
people go through because I didn’t want
people go through because I didn’t want to overreact and like no no no this was
to overreact and like no no no this was
to overreact and like no no no this was a major earthquake I said okay I still
a major earthquake I said okay I still
a major earthquake I said okay I still had that dream of being what famous but
had that dream of being what famous but
had that dream of being what famous but now I was getting to go to New York so
now I was getting to go to New York so
now I was getting to go to New York so packed with the babies drove across the
packed with the babies drove across the
packed with the babies drove across the United States from California to New
United States from California to New
United States from California to New York landed in New York my husband’s job
York landed in New York my husband’s job
York landed in New York my husband’s job was very stressful and it caused a
was very stressful and it caused a
was very stressful and it caused a strain on our marriage because I think I
strain on our marriage because I think I
strain on our marriage because I think I was really super homesick and I decided
was really super homesick and I decided
was really super homesick and I decided to become single that’s my positive way
to become single that’s my positive way
to become single that’s my positive way for putting miss pinning on I got
for putting miss pinning on I got
for putting miss pinning on I got divorced I decided to become single so
divorced I decided to become single so
divorced I decided to become single so yeah so here I was living in New York
yeah so here I was living in New York
yeah so here I was living in New York away from my family away from my friend
away from my family away from my friend
away from my family away from my friend I had two small children and I still
I had two small children and I still
I had two small children and I still decided I wanted to do something with my
decided I wanted to do something with my
decided I wanted to do something with my life
life
life I wanted to still participate so I
I wanted to still participate so I
I wanted to still participate so I worked at a local television station
worked at a local television station
worked at a local television station called WL and why CBS affiliate and I
called WL and why CBS affiliate and I
called WL and why CBS affiliate and I went there and I worked behind the
went there and I worked behind the
went there and I worked behind the scenes because I never felt pretty
scenes because I never felt pretty
scenes because I never felt pretty enough to be on television I thought my
enough to be on television I thought my
enough to be on television I thought my nose was too big I didn’t like the space
nose was too big I didn’t like the space
nose was too big I didn’t like the space between my teeth and just thought okay
between my teeth and just thought okay
between my teeth and just thought okay well I’ll do all this behind-the-scenes
well I’ll do all this behind-the-scenes
well I’ll do all this behind-the-scenes stuff and I did so here I was I was
stuff and I did so here I was I was
stuff and I did so here I was I was motherless because my mom died my best
motherless because my mom died my best
motherless because my mom died my best friend
friend
friend I was divorced living on Long Island
I was divorced living on Long Island
I was divorced living on Long Island then I fell in love again decided to get
then I fell in love again decided to get
then I fell in love again decided to get married again I married this wonderful
married again I married this wonderful
married again I married this wonderful man named Tom and he was an engineer and
man named Tom and he was an engineer and
man named Tom and he was an engineer and he wrote a song life is only what you
he wrote a song life is only what you
he wrote a song life is only what you make of it but shortly after we were
make of it but shortly after we were
make of it but shortly after we were married he had colon cancer and he died
married he had colon cancer and he died
married he had colon cancer and he died so I was motherless I was divorced and
so I was motherless I was divorced and
so I was motherless I was divorced and now I was widowed still a single mom so
now I was widowed still a single mom so
now I was widowed still a single mom so I said okay I’m gonna move forward with
I said okay I’m gonna move forward with
I said okay I’m gonna move forward with my life and I did and I worked at the
my life and I did and I worked at the
my life and I did and I worked at the television station for a long time and I
television station for a long time and I
television station for a long time and I would do corporate image videos and I
would do corporate image videos and I
would do corporate image videos and I would do voiceovers and things of that
would do voiceovers and things of that
would do voiceovers and things of that nature and then I had a dream literally
nature and then I had a dream literally
nature and then I had a dream literally a dream it was December 28th of 2008 I
a dream it was December 28th of 2008 I
a dream it was December 28th of 2008 I was sleeping and I dreamt the television
was sleeping and I dreamt the television
was sleeping and I dreamt the television show that I now have completely in color
show that I now have completely in color
show that I now have completely in color I found my it I also decided around that
I found my it I also decided around that
I found my it I also decided around that time to get married again
time to get married again
time to get married again so Tom dies I could start a new TV show
so Tom dies I could start a new TV show
so Tom dies I could start a new TV show I married this guy named Dan I’m 40
I married this guy named Dan I’m 40
I married this guy named Dan I’m 40 years old I decide to have another baby
years old I decide to have another baby
years old I decide to have another baby and I did and I have Matthew so now I
and I did and I have Matthew so now I
and I did and I have Matthew so now I have and release and Matthew but what
have and release and Matthew but what
have and release and Matthew but what happened I realized I didn’t really love
happened I realized I didn’t really love
happened I realized I didn’t really love Dan that I still loved Tom who died and
Dan that I still loved Tom who died and
Dan that I still loved Tom who died and you guessed it I became single again so
you guessed it I became single again so
you guessed it I became single again so now I was motherless I was divorced I
now I was motherless I was divorced I
now I was motherless I was divorced I was widowed I was divorced again now my
was widowed I was divorced again now my
was widowed I was divorced again now my third husband and I are still very good
third husband and I are still very good
third husband and I are still very good friends we’re Co raising Matthew and
friends we’re Co raising Matthew and
friends we’re Co raising Matthew and then the television stowe show just
then the television stowe show just
then the television stowe show just started taking off I dreamt the whole
started taking off I dreamt the whole
started taking off I dreamt the whole thing in color I went to the TV station
thing in color I went to the TV station
thing in color I went to the TV station where I used to work behind the scene
where I used to work behind the scene
where I used to work behind the scene I said I have an idea I had a dream I’m
I said I have an idea I had a dream I’m
I said I have an idea I had a dream I’m gonna have my own TV show I’m looking
gonna have my own TV show I’m looking
gonna have my own TV show I’m looking mean like you’re gonna have your own TV
mean like you’re gonna have your own TV
mean like you’re gonna have your own TV show people weren’t doing that then I
show people weren’t doing that then I
show people weren’t doing that then I said yes and I’m gonna call it live it
said yes and I’m gonna call it live it
said yes and I’m gonna call it live it up and they’re like okay and I based it
up and they’re like okay and I based it
up and they’re like okay and I based it upon two things December 28th of 2008
upon two things December 28th of 2008
upon two things December 28th of 2008 when I had the dream it would have been
when I had the dream it would have been
when I had the dream it would have been my wedding and anniversary to my husband
my wedding and anniversary to my husband
my wedding and anniversary to my husband Tom that died and he’s the one that
Tom that died and he’s the one that
Tom that died and he’s the one that wrote the song life is what you make of
wrote the song life is what you make of
wrote the song life is what you make of it so I put it all together live it up
it so I put it all together live it up
it so I put it all together live it up and I sold everything I owned because it
and I sold everything I owned because it
and I sold everything I owned because it was 2008 and the economy had tanked and
was 2008 and the economy had tanked and
was 2008 and the economy had tanked and there was no money there was no sponsors
there was no money there was no sponsors
there was no money there was no sponsors so I sold my house I sold everything I
so I sold my house I sold everything I
so I sold my house I sold everything I owned at a garage sale and decided to
owned at a garage sale and decided to
owned at a garage sale and decided to invest in myself to invest in my it and
invest in myself to invest in my it and
invest in myself to invest in my it and I’m here to share with you if I can do
I’m here to share with you if I can do
I’m here to share with you if I can do this you can do this how many people
this you can do this how many people
this you can do this how many people have an idea of their it how many people
have an idea of their it how many people
have an idea of their it how many people still are looking for their it how many
still are looking for their it how many
still are looking for their it how many people had in it and now they want
people had in it and now they want
people had in it and now they want another it okay so this is how we’re
another it okay so this is how we’re
another it okay so this is how we’re gonna do it it’s figuring out consistent
gonna do it it’s figuring out consistent
gonna do it it’s figuring out consistent unique strengths and there’s like five
unique strengths and there’s like five
unique strengths and there’s like five little keys that I think will help you
little keys that I think will help you
little keys that I think will help you and I’m holding on to this because I
and I’m holding on to this because I
and I’m holding on to this because I thought I needed it but I don’t okay so
thought I needed it but I don’t okay so
thought I needed it but I don’t okay so the first thing the first thing the
the first thing the first thing the
the first thing the first thing the first key is about snapping so we’re
first key is about snapping so we’re
first key is about snapping so we’re gonna figure it out okay so think of a
gonna figure it out okay so think of a
gonna figure it out okay so think of a time in your life that you were
time in your life that you were
time in your life that you were successful at something for me it was
successful at something for me it was
successful at something for me it was when I was in fifth grade and I decided
when I was in fifth grade and I decided
when I was in fifth grade and I decided to do a talent show and I had the people
to do a talent show and I had the people
to do a talent show and I had the people from the gym teachers move out the mats
from the gym teachers move out the mats
from the gym teachers move out the mats and I am enrolled everybody and she
and I am enrolled everybody and she
and I am enrolled everybody and she doing gymnastics and singing songs you
doing gymnastics and singing songs you
doing gymnastics and singing songs you know what goes up must come down
know what goes up must come down
know what goes up must come down spinning wheels we’re doing cartwheels
spinning wheels we’re doing cartwheels
spinning wheels we’re doing cartwheels and things like that so that was one of
and things like that so that was one of
and things like that so that was one of my early moments of things that I could
my early moments of things that I could
my early moments of things that I could snap so that I could go back in time and
snap so that I could go back in time and
snap so that I could go back in time and look at it and say if I can do that I
look at it and say if I can do that I
look at it and say if I can do that I can do something another big snap it
can do something another big snap it
can do something another big snap it moment for me was when I got to
moment for me was when I got to
moment for me was when I got to interview Jay Leno so I thought to
interview Jay Leno so I thought to
interview Jay Leno so I thought to myself I was like wow I called my dad
myself I was like wow I called my dad
myself I was like wow I called my dad because my mom’s no longer there and I
because my mom’s no longer there and I
because my mom’s no longer there and I called my dad and st. Louis I said
called my dad and st. Louis I said
called my dad and st. Louis I said you’re not gonna believe this and I’m
you’re not gonna believe this and I’m
you’re not gonna believe this and I’m crying he goes baby you okay I said yeah
crying he goes baby you okay I said yeah
crying he goes baby you okay I said yeah I said but it’s not like your daughter
I said but it’s not like your daughter
I said but it’s not like your daughter grew up to be on The Tonight Show I said
grew up to be on The Tonight Show I said
grew up to be on The Tonight Show I said the guy from The Tonight Show was on
the guy from The Tonight Show was on
the guy from The Tonight Show was on your daughter’s show I was like just
your daughter’s show I was like just
your daughter’s show I was like just crying so that was a moment for me that
crying so that was a moment for me that
crying so that was a moment for me that changed my life and if you look on the
changed my life and if you look on the
changed my life and if you look on the of your own life whether it’s when you
of your own life whether it’s when you
of your own life whether it’s when you were in fifth grade or whether you did
were in fifth grade or whether you did
were in fifth grade or whether you did something successful as an adult maybe
something successful as an adult maybe
something successful as an adult maybe somebody wrote a nice article about you
somebody wrote a nice article about you
somebody wrote a nice article about you here in Hilton Head or somewhere along
here in Hilton Head or somewhere along
here in Hilton Head or somewhere along the line and if you can snap it if you
the line and if you can snap it if you
the line and if you can snap it if you could just make a little picture of
could just make a little picture of
could just make a little picture of yourself in a successful moment and then
yourself in a successful moment and then
yourself in a successful moment and then create a new project for yourself based
create a new project for yourself based
create a new project for yourself based upon the fact that you know you’ve
upon the fact that you know you’ve
upon the fact that you know you’ve already had a success okay so let’s move
already had a success okay so let’s move
already had a success okay so let’s move to the next slide okay the next one is
to the next slide okay the next one is
to the next slide okay the next one is out so the word is focused so it’s
out so the word is focused so it’s
out so the word is focused so it’s figuring out consistent unique strengths
figuring out consistent unique strengths
figuring out consistent unique strengths so the second letter stands for out and
so the second letter stands for out and
so the second letter stands for out and it’s about serving it and now I don’t
it’s about serving it and now I don’t
it’s about serving it and now I don’t play tennis but maybe I’ll learn if I
play tennis but maybe I’ll learn if I
play tennis but maybe I’ll learn if I move to Hilton Head it’s about how are
move to Hilton Head it’s about how are
move to Hilton Head it’s about how are you other-centered who are you when
you other-centered who are you when
you other-centered who are you when you’re out in life are you serving on a
you’re out in life are you serving on a
you’re out in life are you serving on a board are you volunteering are you the
board are you volunteering are you the
board are you volunteering are you the people round of applause yay you TEDx
people round of applause yay you TEDx
people round of applause yay you TEDx tours that are signing everybody in
tours that are signing everybody in
tours that are signing everybody in today that’s name and face recognition
today that’s name and face recognition
today that’s name and face recognition right so figure it out figuring out who
right so figure it out figuring out who
right so figure it out figuring out who you are at your unique self is just
you are at your unique self is just
you are at your unique self is just looking at times in the past or times in
looking at times in the past or times in
looking at times in the past or times in the present where there’s something
the present where there’s something
the present where there’s something unique and special about you whatever
unique and special about you whatever
unique and special about you whatever your it is and this is how you’re going
your it is and this is how you’re going
your it is and this is how you’re going to do it you’re gonna write down all the
to do it you’re gonna write down all the
to do it you’re gonna write down all the things that you’re involved in you know
things that you’re involved in you know
things that you’re involved in you know do you love pets are you helping out
do you love pets are you helping out
do you love pets are you helping out with the Humane Society are you saving
with the Humane Society are you saving
with the Humane Society are you saving the Turtles I loved her speech she was
the Turtles I loved her speech she was
the Turtles I loved her speech she was awesome so are you doing things like
awesome so are you doing things like
awesome so are you doing things like that and that’s gonna be your second
that and that’s gonna be your second
that and that’s gonna be your second piece of your puzzle and figuring out
piece of your puzzle and figuring out
piece of your puzzle and figuring out your a how and thank you for taking
your a how and thank you for taking
your a how and thank you for taking notes that makes me happy so figuring it
notes that makes me happy so figuring it
notes that makes me happy so figuring it out okay so the next piece is refresh it
out okay so the next piece is refresh it
out okay so the next piece is refresh it refresh it so this key is interesting
refresh it so this key is interesting
refresh it so this key is interesting because it’s about consistent what do
because it’s about consistent what do
because it’s about consistent what do you consistently do are you consistently
you consistently do are you consistently
you consistently do are you consistently nice do you consistently open the doors
nice do you consistently open the doors
nice do you consistently open the doors you know is there a way that you are
you know is there a way that you are
you know is there a way that you are able to find things about yourself that
able to find things about yourself that
able to find things about yourself that are consistent I try to be kind I try to
are consistent I try to be kind I try to
are consistent I try to be kind I try to be other focused you know I try to be
be other focused you know I try to be
be other focused you know I try to be smiley you know so these are some things
smiley you know so these are some things
smiley you know so these are some things one of my tips for this idea is to take
one of my tips for this idea is to take
one of my tips for this idea is to take a water bottle and take the label off of
a water bottle and take the label off of
a water bottle and take the label off of it you know buy a whole case of water
it you know buy a whole case of water
it you know buy a whole case of water just take take labels off of it or take
just take take labels off of it or take
just take take labels off of it or take a picture if you like your tap water and
a picture if you like your tap water and
a picture if you like your tap water and just put a label on it the talks about
just put a label on it the talks about
just put a label on it the talks about your three consistent strengths
your three consistent strengths
your three consistent strengths so and whatever those are for you and
so and whatever those are for you and
so and whatever those are for you and then every time you’re pouring the water
then every time you’re pouring the water
then every time you’re pouring the water you’re refreshing yourself you’re
you’re refreshing yourself you’re
you’re refreshing yourself you’re constantly reminded the thing that I
constantly reminded the thing that I
constantly reminded the thing that I find so refreshing about you is boom
find so refreshing about you is boom
find so refreshing about you is boom boom and boom okay so that’s your third
boom and boom okay so that’s your third
boom and boom okay so that’s your third key everybody good the next one is
key everybody good the next one is
key everybody good the next one is unique everybody is born on one day and
unique everybody is born on one day and
unique everybody is born on one day and you die on one day you get here one day
you die on one day you get here one day
you die on one day you get here one day you got to leave on one day you know
you got to leave on one day you know
you got to leave on one day you know people talk about the journey they talk
people talk about the journey they talk
people talk about the journey they talk about the in and the out well here it’s
about the in and the out well here it’s
about the in and the out well here it’s your birthday my mom who you know I love
your birthday my mom who you know I love
your birthday my mom who you know I love she remembered everybody’s birthday way
she remembered everybody’s birthday way
she remembered everybody’s birthday way before social media we had a calendar at
before social media we had a calendar at
before social media we had a calendar at our house and every single day she would
our house and every single day she would
our house and every single day she would write down who she knew that was born on
write down who she knew that was born on
write down who she knew that was born on that day basically because Marilyn down
that day basically because Marilyn down
that day basically because Marilyn down the street her husband forgot her
the street her husband forgot her
the street her husband forgot her birthday so should go my mom she goes
birthday so should go my mom she goes
birthday so should go my mom she goes don forgot my birthday and she was
don forgot my birthday and she was
don forgot my birthday and she was crying at my mom’s like don’t worry
crying at my mom’s like don’t worry
crying at my mom’s like don’t worry Marilyn every year I’m gonna remember
Marilyn every year I’m gonna remember
Marilyn every year I’m gonna remember your birthday so literally on the day my
your birthday so literally on the day my
your birthday so literally on the day my mom died which was January 31st of 1990
mom died which was January 31st of 1990
mom died which was January 31st of 1990 few days later her funeral it was cold
few days later her funeral it was cold
few days later her funeral it was cold it was social cold and there were people
it was social cold and there were people
it was social cold and there were people lined up all the way throughout the
lined up all the way throughout the
lined up all the way throughout the cemetery and and every single person
cemetery and and every single person
cemetery and and every single person came up to me and said I’m gonna
came up to me and said I’m gonna
came up to me and said I’m gonna remember your mom on my birthday I was
remember your mom on my birthday I was
remember your mom on my birthday I was like wow still to this day it’s been
like wow still to this day it’s been
like wow still to this day it’s been some 20-something years close to thirty
some 20-something years close to thirty
some 20-something years close to thirty years ago and people are still calling
years ago and people are still calling
years ago and people are still calling it gets my birthday and I’ll say oh
it gets my birthday and I’ll say oh
it gets my birthday and I’ll say oh happy birthday they’re like I’m praying
happy birthday they’re like I’m praying
happy birthday they’re like I’m praying for your mom I’m like okay thanks so
for your mom I’m like okay thanks so
for your mom I’m like okay thanks so much you know it’s like a huge thing so
much you know it’s like a huge thing so
much you know it’s like a huge thing so my idea for this is to make your own
my idea for this is to make your own
my idea for this is to make your own birthday card this year you know you can
birthday card this year you know you can
birthday card this year you know you can even do it today when we’re at lunch
even do it today when we’re at lunch
even do it today when we’re at lunch break just take a piece of paper fold it
break just take a piece of paper fold it
break just take a piece of paper fold it in half write happy birthday to yourself
in half write happy birthday to yourself
in half write happy birthday to yourself and remember that you are unique and
and remember that you are unique and
and remember that you are unique and then voice it maybe call your friends
then voice it maybe call your friends
then voice it maybe call your friends when it’s their birthday and happy
when it’s their birthday and happy
when it’s their birthday and happy birthday to them find a way to connect
birthday to them find a way to connect
birthday to them find a way to connect with community with your unique self you
with community with your unique self you
with community with your unique self you know you have a voice right how lovely
know you have a voice right how lovely
know you have a voice right how lovely would it be if somebody you know heard
would it be if somebody you know heard
would it be if somebody you know heard you singing happy birthday to them sing
you singing happy birthday to them sing
you singing happy birthday to them sing happy birthday to yourself okay and then
happy birthday to yourself okay and then
happy birthday to yourself okay and then the last key is strengths and sharing it
the last key is strengths and sharing it
the last key is strengths and sharing it okay so it’s figuring out consistent
okay so it’s figuring out consistent
okay so it’s figuring out consistent unique strengths a lot of times as
unique strengths a lot of times as
unique strengths a lot of times as you’re going through this process and
you’re going through this process and
you’re going through this process and you’re finding what your it is in life
you’re finding what your it is in life
you’re finding what your it is in life you look around and you’re like
you look around and you’re like
you look around and you’re like I got that horse saddle and I have it
I got that horse saddle and I have it
I got that horse saddle and I have it rode in like 20-something years you know
rode in like 20-something years you know
rode in like 20-something years you know time to get e on up and maybe send that
time to get e on up and maybe send that
time to get e on up and maybe send that saddle to somebody that could absolutely
saddle to somebody that could absolutely
saddle to somebody that could absolutely use it you know and start finding those
use it you know and start finding those
use it you know and start finding those places in your life where you’re just
places in your life where you’re just
places in your life where you’re just filled around with clutter and there’s
filled around with clutter and there’s
filled around with clutter and there’s things that you don’t need anymore and
things that you don’t need anymore and
things that you don’t need anymore and also sharing your time and sharing your
also sharing your time and sharing your
also sharing your time and sharing your strengths your time your talent and your
strengths your time your talent and your
strengths your time your talent and your treasure
treasure
treasure my mom had a Helen Steiner rice picture
my mom had a Helen Steiner rice picture
my mom had a Helen Steiner rice picture up in our bathroom that said it’s not
up in our bathroom that said it’s not
up in our bathroom that said it’s not the things that can be bought that are
the things that can be bought that are
the things that can be bought that are life’s richest treasures it’s the little
life’s richest treasures it’s the little
life’s richest treasures it’s the little heart gifts that money cannot measure so
heart gifts that money cannot measure so
heart gifts that money cannot measure so figuring out consistent unique strengths
figuring out consistent unique strengths
figuring out consistent unique strengths to help you be resilient to help you be
to help you be resilient to help you be
to help you be resilient to help you be resourceful in your life did I want to
resourceful in your life did I want to
resourceful in your life did I want to be widowed no did I want to choose to be
be widowed no did I want to choose to be
be widowed no did I want to choose to be single or divorced as many times as I
single or divorced as many times as I
single or divorced as many times as I wanted no did I want to be famous yes
wanted no did I want to be famous yes
wanted no did I want to be famous yes but now for me it’s not about me being
but now for me it’s not about me being
but now for me it’s not about me being famous it’s about celebrating the
famous it’s about celebrating the
famous it’s about celebrating the essence of life it provides me a
essence of life it provides me a
essence of life it provides me a platform where I can interview
platform where I can interview
platform where I can interview celebrities like I said it doesn’t
celebrities like I said it doesn’t
celebrities like I said it doesn’t matter to me that they’re famous I want
matter to me that they’re famous I want
matter to me that they’re famous I want to know what their it is in life how are
to know what their it is in life how are
to know what their it is in life how are they helping people what’s their give to
they helping people what’s their give to
they helping people what’s their give to the community I interview businesses
the community I interview businesses
the community I interview businesses about how cool they are and how
about how cool they are and how
about how cool they are and how resilient they are and how resourceful
resilient they are and how resourceful
resilient they are and how resourceful they are for starting their own
they are for starting their own
they are for starting their own businesses and I interview nonprofit
businesses and I interview nonprofit
businesses and I interview nonprofit organizations and once again if I can do
organizations and once again if I can do
organizations and once again if I can do this you can do this I thank you so very
this you can do this I thank you so very
this you can do this I thank you so very very much for being here with me for
very much for being here with me for
very much for being here with me for spending your time with me this is all
spending your time with me this is all
spending your time with me this is all about being your unique self thank you
about being your unique self thank you
about being your unique self thank you ladies and gentlemen
”
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