Endings and Beginnings

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200 words, believe, community, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dream, family, friends, integrity, intent, laughter, living in the moment, love, memories, mission, passion, Purpose, reflection, vision

“Though no one can go back and make a brand-new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand-new ending.”  ~ Carl Bard

For me, 2013 has been a year of endings and beginnings. A time of reflection, reconnection and dreaming.

I took many trips back to my childhood and wrote about my friends, family trips and memories, the imaginings and dreams I had as a child and the sheer joy of play.

I was intentional about reconnecting with family and worked hard at living in the moment. I walked away forever from my 40’s and celebrated my half century milestone by throwing myself a party.

And I left full-time employment to pursue a dream that would align with my vision for the future –  culminating with the creation of The Other Bottom Line.

2013 has been a time of whiteboards, creativity, exploration and passion.

More than ever before I have a clear direction of where I want to go and who I want to be.

I know that 2014 will be the year of hard work and doing whatever it takes to realize my future.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

What was your theme for 2013?

What does 2014 hold for you?

I’m Not Just Twiddling My Thumbs You Know

Tags

community, Diana Schwenk, dream, friends, Hump Day Chronicles, mission, Relationships, The Other Bottom Line, vision

I think it’s about time I update you on where I’m at with The Other Bottom Line.

A few months ago, it occurred to me that if I truly believe in engaging community I should get some people involved with the process. This has been an amazing experience for me and before I go much further I want to thank a few folks who have given me their feedback and have enthusiastically shared their ideas.

A big, heartfelt thank you to Pat, Jenalene, Del, Ian, Louise, Scott, Jody, Kathleen, Janet and all of you on WordPress who share your experiences and processes as you move toward your goals. Your participation has contributed to many of the steps and ideas below.

I’ve had a series of meetings over the last while with people to gather feedback and draw on their expertise to package The Other Bottom Line. The following items have been, or are in the process of being developed.

• Identity of The Other Bottom Line (brand, aesthetics, aura, design)
• the types of materials that need to be developed (presentation, leave behind, business cards)
• content (words) to describe The Other Bottom Line, who I am (credentials, philosophy, methodology)
• endorsements
• identifying the target audience

Also, I got an email from a friend with the following ideas and offering to help:

• consider writing blog content for companies and perhaps running their facebook and twitter marketing campaigns to supplement my income while I build The Other Bottom Line.
• Get my own domain name
• Make a short video that talks about services. Post the video to my site and YouTube.
• find a potential client that will let me use their space to provide a free seminar/lecture for them in exchange for allowing me to invite others.

All fantastic ideas that now occupy my Ideas parking lot!

In October, I was invited to a meeting with a couple of consultants to discuss whether or not we wanted to respond to an RFP to help an organization on a development project. We have moved forward with a proposal, confidant that we can provide them with the deliverables they seek. We should be hearing back soon.

Whether we get the contract or not, I’ve learned so much through this process as well. For example, I now have a catalogue of the types of services I offer and estimated costs and timetables.

The Other Bottom Line website was launched on September 9, 2013 and since October 1, I’ve written a post every Tuesday on topics like: engaging the community, communications, philanthropic culture, etc.

Click on the above image to visit The Other Bottom Line

In an effort to increase traffic to The Other Bottom Line, I recently started following and interacting with other non-profit, Leadership and Entrepreneurial blogs. I am also employing social media to drive traffic to the site.

On November 5th Jody Spencer, the Founder of Because Edmonton Cares graciously wrote The Other Bottom Line’s first guest post. I hope to convince many others to write guest posts and added a page called Share Your Story  for those who would like to do so.

On November 12, a CEO from the UK reblogged one of my posts. It totally made my day!

My next steps include developing materials for The Other Bottom Line and testing the brand with trusted professionals.

In conclusion I am having so much fun working on something that I care so much about. It remains my hope that sharing my process will encourage and benefit others who are following their dreams. Well, what do you think?  Your feedback and ideas are valued and appreciated!

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Process related posts

The Other Bottom Line – August 7

If Momma’s Not Happy – July 31

Dreams, Dragging My Butt – July 24

It compels me

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200 words, courage, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, dream, Fear, hard work, mission, passion, Purpose, vision

“When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it. ” ~ W. Clement Stone

I need to do this

Fix to the Horizon via Painter Magazine

explore this

because its pull demands it.

I can’t help it

It speaks to who I am

it’s what I do, it’s what I want to do.

When my mind tells me to just do the safe thing

when I see the look of worry in your face

when everything around me and within me is screaming to be reasonable

when the weight of the burden to do what’s expected brings me to my knees

when fear tightens its grip on me and I struggle to breathe

I gather my courage, stand up, straighten my posture and set my sight on the horizon.

I love you for your concern, I do – I’m scared too.

Can you understand?

This is what I am compelled to do

it burns within me

if I fail, then I fail

but if I don’t try I will always wonder.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

What compels you?

Dreams, Dragging my Butt, Whiteboards and Other Stuff

Tags

community, courage, Diana Schwenk, dragging my butt, dream, fear of failure, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, mission, passion, perserverance, Purpose, vision

It is our vulnerability that connects us. It is our doubts that make us question what is and prompt us to dream what can be. ~ Schwenkism

It feels like forever ago I hinted at moving in a new direction. Forever ago I boldly announced I was going to follow my dreams, even if no one else believed in them. Even if their direction meant I’d be swimming against the current.

Big words. Big dreams. Yet empty and void as far as taking action. I’ve been dragging my butt and thinking up a million other things I could be doing just to avoid these next steps. I’ve come up with a million excuses as to why my dreams are foolish to protect myself from failure.

I admit it.

I’m not always as tough as I let on. I’m not always as ‘together’  and self-assured as I appear (or try to appear).  And it’s entirely possible, the only person I have fooled in the last few months is ME.

So here I am. Naked before you. Vulnerable. And that’s OK.

And amazingly enough, it’s no where as scary as I had imagined.

In fact, it’s a good and honest place to start!

And starting is exactly what I have begun to do.

My first step was to buy a whiteboard. I’m a visual ideas person and when I’m not able to brainstorm with a team, I use a white board.

It helps me plan. It facilitates a creative process for me: I write on it, step back, read what I’ve written, erase, write some more…well you get the picture!

Ultimately my goal is to develop a plan that will lead me into the next phase of my career and personal life.

Thankfully, I already have my vision and mission statement. So this week I spent some time reflecting on and documenting the following:

Things I love

• brainstorming
• public speaking
• speaking to media
• recognizing and utilizing the gifts in others
• meeting people
• listening to varying perspectives
• exploring new ideas
• telling stories
• being active, getting enough sleep and eating right

I am

• genuine
• a collaborator
• community builder
• spontaneous
• risk taker
• team player
• leader
• generalist/applied visionary
• mission driven
• passionate
• persuasive
• encourager

I thrive

• within a team
• in a creative and open environment
• appreciative inquiry
• quick-paced environment
• when free to manage my time

Skills and strengths

• Direct mail campaigns
• relationship building/stewardship
• donor centric written/verbal communication
• project strategies
• analysis of appeals and response rates
• mediation
• team building
• mentorship

This is not an extensive list by far and I’ve only intentionally included the things I enjoy. It is a first step, an inventory of sorts that will eventually propel me to the way I want to live, love and work.

My next steps include:

• combining and looking for themes in the feedback graciously given to me by my colleagues at my previous positions and incorporating that information.
• The Vision, Mission and Philosophy of a new blog I will be launching (soon I hope)  called The Other Bottom Line.  This blog is meant to be a resource for those in the non-profit world and may include discussion formats, best practices, guest bloggers, interviews, etc. More on that in a later post.

As a Doer, I’m excited to be moving on this and will use my Wednesday Hump Day Chronicles  posts to keep you updated.

I would be remiss if I did not thank all of you including, but not limited to Elizabeth and Kina for your vulnerability, courage and action, Bulldog for your guts in starting a new business, mrsfringe for your perseverance to become a published author, and Louise your recent posts gave me that final push I needed to get the ball rolling. Thank you ALL so much!

It is my hope that sharing my process for the next little while will be just as inspiring to someone out there as your journeys have been to me.

To all of you let me leave this final thought: As awesome as your achievements are, it is your struggling, your doubting, your continuing anyway-ness that make you inspiring and remarkable.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

I am SO open to your thoughts and tips

Feel free to leave them below

The Hole in the Wall

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bar, Blues, community, dancing, Diana Schwenk, dream, Floyd Dixon, Hole in the Wall, Hump Day Chronicles, Jazz, love, relational, social

Before I get too deep into this post I want to explain something. I’m not an artist, but I know when I like a painting. And I’m not an author but I can appreciate a good book. I’m also not a musician but I know good music when I hear it. Or as I used to say as a teenager, I may not be able to make a watch, but I can tell the time!

Off and on since I was 16 years old I’ve dreamt of owning my own bar.

I think it’s the social aspect, the idea of people gathering and enjoying each other’s company that appeals to me.

Over the years, what that would look like has changed many times, yet the idea of owning a bar has continued to visit me from time to time.

Maybe one day I will own one. Maybe I won’t – but either way I want to share the following concept with you and hear what you think.

About a year ago I came up with a conceptual idea for what this bar would look and feel like. The following song would be the indicator that the entertainment is about to begin.

And that’s why I would call my bar The Hole in the Wall.  Imagine if you will; a red brick building. On the outside wall, a mural that looks like bricks have been knocked out and left a hole that allows you to peer inside to see the silhouette of a band and folks dancing. There would be plenty of parking and an outdoor courtyard to cool off from all the dancing you would do.

Me and my friend Sandra out and about at some dancing joint.

Inside is a big open space with an elevated stage large enough to accommodate a 7-man band. The stage overlooks a large dance floor with plenty of room for people to dance. Tables would seat six and it would be the norm to expect people you don’t know to sit with you if you and your guests are not taking up the entire table.

The Hole in the Wall would not have a restaurant. We know you get hungry so to sate your appetite and save ourselves the hassle of cooking, we would promote our neighbouring eateries by providing their take-out menus at each table.

That’s right – just pick up your iPhone and call your favourite restaurant and have them deliver to your table!

The motto of the bar would be: For the love of people, great music and dancing

For the love of people

I would want to create an unpretentious and relaxing atmosphere – a place where everyone would feel comfortable, regardless of age or station in life. A place where you could spend time with your adult children – where all of you would have fun together – imagine that!

The Hole in the Wall would hire staff that are energetic, fun-loving people lovers! It would be more important to be relational than to have previous experience. Bar-related skills can be taught!

Philanthropy would be highly encouraged and expected. Staff would have opportunities to share the causes they believe in and engage with charities to organize regular fundraisers that not only raise funds but provide opportunity for organizations to volunteer at the event and engage with patrons.

Because we love people, alcohol consumption would be monitored. The Hole in the Wall is not about getting drunk, it’s about enjoying the music, dancing and the company of good friends. Don’t be surprised if we bring you a glass of water or a cup coffee with a kind word to encourage you to slow down. Sound unusual? I’ve seen it work in other places!

For the love of great music

The Hole in the Wall would strive to make a name for itself by attracting the best blues and jazz bands for the weekends. These bands would love the large stage and acoustics and would be compensated well. During the week, The Hole in the Wall would be a place where talented ‘up and comers’  could become known and kick off their careers.  Who knows perhaps The Hole, as it will be affectionately called, will become so well-known that professional artists will sneak in for impromptu sets after their concert at the Saddledome!

For the love of dancing

Does it matter if you can dance? Nah, as long as you’re having fun – that’s what it’s all about!

Maybe organized activities could include riding bikes that are too small for you?

Whether you’re a trained dancer or just a hotdogger like me, if you love to dance – The Hole in the Wall would be the place for you. We won’t judge you!

The Hole in the Wall would be a safe and fun place to dance and enjoy a night out. During the day we would organize fun activities like they do at resorts. If you can’t laugh at your best friend making a fool of himself, who can you laugh at?

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

What do you think?

Would you come to a place like the Hole in the Wall?

The Fatal Metaphor

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200 words, behind us, bullshit, choose, courage, dream, friends, GK Chesterton, inside us, integrity, mindful, Purpose

The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth, which means leaving things inside us. ~ Gilbert Chesterton

“I have to project a certain image,” I explained.

“There is a certain way I need to present myself.

If I don’t set an example…if I don’t draw the line, they won’t think I’m a professional.”

“BULLSHIT!”

I looked at her in stunned silence – exasperated.

Why didn’t she get it?

“What’s with all this executive crap? It’s not you,” she blurted that day three years ago.

Then softly, “You’ve lost so much of who you are – if you don’t snap out of it, you’ll be lost for good.”

Oh… now I get it!

She was right of course.

She never was one to mince her words and maybe that’s why we’ve been friends for over 20 years.

In my effort to be successful I was doing what they expected of me.

And in the doing, I’d lost the very passion that had brought me there in the first place.

Be careful who you choose to be.

Be mindful of the dreams you chase and why.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Wanted – Superheroes – Apply Inside

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200 words, A-Ha moment, Act, Diana Schwenk, dream, fear of failure, passion, Purpose, simple, Truth, world issues

A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. ~ Christopher Reeve

Wanted – Superheros – Apply Inside

Why do we feel we need a hero to swoop in and simply state what needs to be done…

bring us to that eye-opening A-HA moment that leaves us wondering ‘why the heck we didn’t see it before’?

The truth is that every hero is a human being.

We all have the capacity to achieve wondrous things.

So If we are inspired and have visualized what could be, shouldn’t we just act?

I once read a quote that said something like, ‘the vessel that has received the vision is the best vessel to carry it out.’

Still we search for that mystical, enlightened, god-like individual who will take us by the hand

and lead us like trusting children to the land of milk and honey.

Why do we do that?

Is it fear of failure?

Is it just easier to accept things as they are?

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

No, I don’t think that is true, do you?

The world doesn’t need a superhero, it needs you.

Remember Who You Are

Tags

community, courage, Diana Schwenk, dream, health, integrity, joy, Purpose

I get into the biggest kind of trouble when I forget who I am.

I mean the whole reason I took the time to develop a personal vision and mission statement was to ensure that I would remain true to myself.

Lately I’ve been meandering a bit.

You know…chasing rabbits down their little rabbit holes.

My wings have caught flight on whichever winds were blowing by and I’ve been sitting on the raft and floating around on random currents.

On Saturday, I had a good heart-to-heart with a friend…

and she told me she’s been worried about me.

She said I’ve been living too much in my head;

going to deep within myself – withdrawing.

Second guessing everything too much.

And she’s right.

When I’m living and making decisions based on who I am, it might not always work out, but I am never disappointed in ‘staying the course’ of who I am and pursuing what I’m meant to pursue.

It only seems to take a second of insecurity, a moment of doubt to set me off in the wrong direction.

HELLO!!

…that’s exactly when I should be falling back on the vision and mission statements I took the time to discover and made the effort to write out!

On a good day our basic instincts, drives, purpose – whatever you want to call it – result in success.

On our worst days, they can dig a hole, hit us over the head with a shovel and bury us so deep in darkness and fear we become blind and paralyzed.

Building community, to me, means building human relationships, hearing all sides, recognizing the gifts of others, encouraging them to take a leap of faith to follow their dreams.

But what happens when their mission conflicts with mine?

I’ll tell you what sometimes happens when I’m not paying attention:

I acquiesce on my mission.

I turn my back on my vision.

This always results in a loss of passion and purpose for me.

Don’t misread me on this. I’m not saying I’m right and they’re wrong.

What I’m saying is that there is a disconnect; a misalignment of purpose, so to speak.

Both visions could very well have value and at the same time not be compatible with each other.

This is when my personal vision and mission statement, if I’m staying on top of what’s going on, should bring me back to the truth of who I am.

And likely, this is when it is time to agree to disagree, wish someone well in their mission and get back on track with mine.

I’m most content when I live from a place of authenticity and act from a place of passion and integrity.

I define integrity as staying true to who you are and consistently acting from this place of truth

In this definition, we don’t all have the same truths.

We don’t all have the same vision or mission.

But that’s ok. Differences are what make people so interesting.

And who knows maybe our differences build a complete, larger picture of all that is meant to be.

The truth is I can pursue my dreams with joy and I can joyfully wish you well in following yours.

It takes wisdom to realize when something is not a fit for you.

And it takes courage to then step away from it, even if it’s not the popular thing to do.

Today, I choose again, to remember who I am; to speak, act and unabashedly go where I am meant to go.

Because when I remember who I am and act on it, I am giving my best to my community and we all (collectively) should expect nothing less.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

I’m grateful for good friends and for the heart-to-heart I had on Saturday.

What or who keeps you on course?

How do you ensure that you remain true?

You are powerful beyond measure

Tags

believe, community, courage, Diana Schwenk, dream, integrity, love, Marianne Williamson, mission, New Year, passion, peace, powerful, Purpose, world issues

My brother shared an inspirational video on facebook yesterday that I want to share with you as we move into the New Year. May your 2013 be filled with the awe and wonder of the power you have to change the world.

With love and in awe of all of you,

Diana

 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us;

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God

Your playing small does not save the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you;

We are born to manifest the glory of God within us.

It isn’t just in some of us, it is in everyone

And as we let our own light shine

We unconsciously give other people the right to do the same.

~ Marianne Williamson

True Love’s Kiss

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daughters, Diana Schwenk, dream, happy, Ingrid Bergman, joy, Kiss, love, memories, passion

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous. Ingrid Bergman

 

My daughter and I have been talking about relationships.

 

One of the most wonderful things in the world is true love’s kiss.

 

You know what I mean though, right?

 

You meet that right person and ka-zam!

 

You’re hooked! Obsessed! Twitterpated!

 

The whole world suddenly makes sense.

 

And even the staunchest of loners loses their resolve to remain single.

 

A Mac Truck could drive through the room and you wouldn’t see it…

 

All you can see, hear, smell and sense is that special someone…

 

who consumes your every thought and aspiration.

 

I can’t help wondering how the very first kiss ever came to be.

 

What possessed one person to press his/her mouth on another’s?

 

What made it seem like a good idea?

 

Yet what other act has so much power…

 

as to make you forget what happened a moment prior to…

 

and gives you a comforting feeling of warmth…

 

with the ability to stop one’s speech in mid sentence…

 

as much as a true love’s kiss?