“If you see a woman going for it, you jump in there and help her!” – Marianne Williamson

Helloooooo, all of you angels out there…

And, welcome to you joining The Spark! after I met you at events last week in Los Angeles and those of you in Michigan from seeing Woman on Fire M.E. Jones on the cover of Women2Women Magazine.  I am so happy you’re here.

Last week I feel I barely surfaced for air!

We are at work on plans for the upcoming Women on Fire Retreat with Stedman Graham and Janette Barber in Chicago April 23-24, 2010, and I am so excited I can barely contain myself.  From your emails and calls, I know many of you have registered or are planning to – and nothing thrills me more.

Why?

Because the difference it makes when we gather together, share our lives and dreams, have fun and receive support is monumental and transformational.

Even if you’re shy, just being in the energy of so many inspiring, supportive women feels amazing.

Women on Fire was created on the foundation of The Big Three: inspiration, strategies and support.  Having these present in our lives transforms us so we can more easily and successfully move toward what we want.

And, the greatest of these three pillars is SUPPORT.  Think about all of the times you are working toward something big or important.  Or you were stuck in a transition or trapped by a horrible set of circumstances.

What was the “tipping point” that allowed you to succeed or make it through?

I bet it was the person who cheered you on; or the one who believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself; or the soul who jumped in beside you, offered you hope and substance, and stayed with you until you made it to the finish line.

Last week alone I witnessed the joy of how support can transform a woman’s life.

I don’t have to tell you how difficult these financial times and conditions are for many people right now.  And, there were two women wanting with all their hearts to travel to Chicago to attend the Women on Fire Retreat.

Both had faced and survived very tough times in the past year (job loss, divorce, foreclosure) and were short on funds. Yet, they were patching together what resources they had, while remaining positive, upbeat, full of life and with dreams “to go for it.”

All I did was put out the call.  The support for their $297 tuition from two generous women (one who had known divorce and the other bankruptcy) came through immediately.

It was just the “tipping point” and boost each woman needed to be able to attend!

The donors felt honored to give and the recipients were thrilled and grateful (with one saying she looked forward to returning the favor for another woman in the future).  I was ecstatic to see how our Women on Fire community continues to back each other with many different ways of support.

The late M. Scott Peck, M.D. opened his best-selling book The Road Less Traveled with these words: “Life is difficult.”

I prefer to believe when we gently place our hand on the back of another woman…life doesn’t have to be so hard.

See you in Chicago!

P.S. If you have a story of how you’ve received support from another Woman on Fire and how it affected you, I hope you will share her and it with us in the comments section below.  Your stories and experiences are sometimes the gentle supporting hand on the back our readers need.

Savoring time with Women on Fire® Event Producer Angela Ittu

LOS ANGELES – I traded one warm coast for another and traveled last week from Florida to California.  I wish each one of you were here with me (if you weren’t already!)

Because, over the past four days, I have spent it in the company of fabulous women.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love my husband and I love men!  But for me there is nothing more uplifting than the energy, enthusiasm and inspiration I receive when I am with vibrant, positive women.

First up was a Women on Fire Tea Party in Santa Monica in which 15 phenomenal women told each other their hopes and plans and what they are “on fire” about in their lives.  All walked away with new friends and new connections to support their goals and dreams.  Once again at a tea party, I was in awe of the open-hearted goodness of women coming together without competition, comparison or criticism.

Then, I spent the day with Women on Fire event producer Angela Ittu at the luxurious resort Shutters on the Beach.  Lunching and sinking into the celebrity haven’s big couches, we pored over plans and details for the exciting, upcoming Women on Fire Retreat in Chicago on April 23-24.  (For your own experience of meeting new women, taking your life up a notch or two, and being inspired, you are invited to attend! Registration is now open.)

Finally, for the past two days, along with 400 other women, I’ve been with spiritual leader Marianne Williamson at her event, Sister Giant.  Angela and I met up at Sister Giant with other “women on fire” including Susan Glavin, who is a co-author in the Women on Fire book.  Even though we’d worked on the book together, it was our first time to actually meet in person!

The Women on Fire network was hard at work over the weekend.  While we were in Los Angeles, two other Women on Fire book co-authors M.E. Jones and Laurie Forster, the Wine Coach®, were collaborating at events in Alpena, Michigan.  There is no stopping powerful women who have dreams and passions, and I am dazzled daily by the ways Women on Fire are helping each other!

Back in Los Angeles, Marianne showed a profound  HBO film about the Women’s Suffrage Movement called Iron Jawed Angels.  I was stunned that even I who had been involved politically did not know this history of Women’s Voting Rights.  And, that during the Woodrow Wilson administration more than 200 women went to jail so that today I have the right to vote.  Powerful. Astonishing.  And, deeply moving to watch and discuss in the company of 400 other women.

So, I am leaving California with such a sense of camaraderie and determination about my work and life.  I feel so filled and inspired by the women I spent time with and by all that I learned from them.

How do you feel after being with “sisters” who understand, listen, share your history as a woman, and who are here to cheer you on?

If your “sisterhood quotient” is low, I hope you can find the time soon to get that extra boost that dynamic women with loving, caring hearts and souls can provide.

If your “sisterhood quotient” is high, please go to the comments section below and tell us about it!

Wilber trying to disguise himself as a book to go on my LA trip!

Before I finish packing my bags for Los Angeles this week (yes, that’s Wilber being his typical self trying to squeeze in to go, too!), I have some exciting news.

ABCNews invited me to submit an article that would be both inspiring and empowering for the people who read their spirituality website.

Many of you reading The Spark! were the first to hear about “My Terrible Scare” a few months ago.  In it, I shared my experience of a doctor indicating I had aggressive thyroid cancer — when I didn’t — and the strategies I used to get through the frightening experience.

More of you than I ever imagined responded to that particular Spark! and told me of your own scares, worries and medical challenges.  (Thank you.  I love hearing from you and continuing the conversation on this blog)

So, I thought it was worth expanding upon the subject of what to do if you have a medical scare.  ABCNews did, too.  And, this week featured my expanded, updated article here.

I tell you this because my vision is to connect as many great women to each other as possible through Women On Fire.  I want women everywhere to have the inspiration, strategies and support to get through whatever it is you are going through.  And, to create a life you can be “on fire” about!

Several issues ago, I wrote about having a theme for your year. For those of you who created one for yourself, how are you doing with it? What are you noticing? How is it helping?

And for those of you who didn’t have time then, here is the post so you can learn more.

My own theme this year is my biggest personal challenge of all.  One I’m sure at least one or two of you will relate to;-)

Asking for help.

And, even though I know intellectually that growing an organization like Women On Fire requires help from colleagues and participants; and that I advise people to get support for their own projects; and that I am getting better at asking for help on the big stuff around Women on Fire, it is still very hard for me to ask for some of the small things that will help us grow and reach more women.

So, putting my fear of asking aside, I would love your help in connecting with more women like you.

If you know of other fabulous women you want to bring into our circle of smart, dynamic, open-hearted, engaging women who have big dreams inside of themselves just like we do, I hope you might consider doing just one (or more, don’t let me stop you!) of these things:

1)    Go to the ABCNews website and comment on the article called “My Terrible, Transforming Scare.”
2)    Share the article on any of your preferred social media sites (especially Facebook and Twitter)
3)    Email the ABCNews article or any SPARK! to a fabulous woman in your life who might enjoy it…and even be served by it.
4)    Encourage a great woman in your life to join our circle by registering at http://www.BeAWomanOnFire.com to receive the free CD “7 Mistakes Preventing You From Being a Woman on Fire”
5)    Accept a big hug from me for being part of our thriving and ever-expanding group of women helping each other through the rough spots and cheering each other on to express our gifts, strengths and talents in the world!

Thank you.

OK, back to packing.  I hope I can pry Wilber out of the suitcase where he is now asleep snoring.  He loves to fly (even has his own JetPaws frequent flier account) and he’s all geared up, thinking he’s going to LA!  Sorry, pal.  Not this time.  It’s mostly women stuff.

I look forward to hearing how you are doing with your theme in the comments section below.

Happy Valentine’s Day 2010…

Ashton Kutcher said something recently about celebrating Valentine’s Day that I really resonated to.   Every day – not just February 14 — should be a celebration of love.

And, while I’m the first person to jump up and down when I receive flowers and chocolate on Valentine’s Day, today I want to share my heart and deepest thanks to some important people — the many teachers and healers in my life.  The people who’ve helped me to find my path and stay on it; people who’ve filled my heart with love and joy; people who make my life February 14 every day!

Some are my dearest friends, family and colleagues; others I barely know; and others I may never have met at all!

Though my experience with them may be over a lifetime, for a few years, a couple of days, in a moment, in a lesson, in a phrase, or from a quote they’ve all served to significantly influence me and shape my life.

I invite you to create your own list of teachers, healers, helpers and angels who have shaped you into the loving, amazing person you are today!

Today I send hearts, chocolates and flowers to:

• Alice Walker for teaching me “there is gold in grief”
• Agapi Stassinopoulos and Bim Bissell for demonstrating what it looks like for a woman to be comfortable in her body!
• Andrea Dowding for permission to say “maybe I will, maybe I won’t”
• Barbara Sher for teaching me “isolation is the dream killer”
• Bella Abzug for inspiring me to tap into my power as a woman
• Ben and Rosamund Zander for wise counsel to “give everyone an A and then help them earn it”
• Bill Keesee for nurturing my talents as a reporter and writer yet letting me know my good spirit and positive attitude were what really counted
• Blue for being the finder of all lost objects and her advice: “if you want to find something, search like a woman!”
• Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and all other 60-plus-year-old rock stars for removing any excuse I might conjure up not to exercise, stay fit and give my passion my everything!
• Cecily Saunders for encouraging me to speak from my heart
• Carly Simon for sharing that “there’s more room in a broken heart”
• Carole Black for her advice “to reach back and pull up as many people with you as you can”
• Curt Steiner for the surprising life lesson that my arch-political nemesis could marry my best friend…and I would end up adoring him!
• David Deida for asking “what is the love you have to give to the world before you die?”
• Denise Guest for setting the example to “take the time to make the time to take care of yourself”
• Dick Phillips for standing me in front of a mirror to repeat (under much teen-ager duress!) “I will greet each day with love in my heart”
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for inspiring me “to cultivate a tough mind yet lead your life with a tender heart”
• Eleanor Celeste for viewing the world from a fresh perspective: “if we change our clothes, will it change our personalities?” and “where exactly does the sun sleep?”
• Elizabeth Kubler-Ross for teaching me the stages of grief
• Elvira Lang, M.D. for advising me when receiving tough medical news to “act swiftly and comprehensively”
• Geraldine Ferraro and Ellen Wingard for showing me the importance of meeting regularly with girlfriends in a “mastermind” group to take stock and get support
• Gloria Steinem for transforming my life by simply being the very epitome of graciousness and support
• Holly Getty for sharing the shopping secret that if I wouldn’t pay full price for it, then don’t buy it “on sale.”
• Hugh Fullerton for advising me to never assume anything
• Irene O’Garden for sharing creative genius that allowed the rising tide to lift all boats
• Jack Walker for showing me that peanut butter is to be eaten with a spoon from the jar!
• Jacqueline Pimentel for NGUNGI – Never Give Up, Never Give In
• Jan Allen for teaching me best friends take notes for each other in life and share them
• Janette Barber for transforming heart-breaking adversity into humor, success and service to the world
• Jerry and Esther Hicks and John and Annie Glenn for living lives of passion, purpose and partnership
• Judy Tatelbaum for teaching me it takes courage to grieve
• Julia Celeste for the miracle of a tender shoot in the darkest of winters
• Kelly Boggs for her knack of introducing me to a wide-range of important teachers and inspirations from spiritual leaders to country music stars
• Kippy for being a dog I could share my innermost thoughts with!
• Libby Bradford for showing me how to live as she held my hand and showed me how to die
• Lucinda Sweeney for being there always with unconditional love
• Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley for teaching me the awareness of life’s “final gifts”
• Margaret Mead for the words that made my aspirations seem possible: “no doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world…indeed it is the only thing that ever has”
• Marianne Williamson for inspiring me not to stop before the miracle
• Mary Jo Ruggieri for teaching me yoga and meditation and that the future of medicine will be energy healing
• Mary Lue Phillips for demonstrating change is good, necessary and exciting! (And impressing upon me the importance of education…and telling me I can do anything…and reminding me never to envy anyone because we all struggle with “something.”)
• Mary Lynne Musgrove for planting the idea that I “must, must, must write a book”
• Mary Tyler Moore for assuring me I’m gonna make it after all
• Max Celeste for teaching me the joy of sharing French fries
• Maya Angelou for reminding me when I have a knife in my hand it’s best not to let my focus wander!
• MJ Bindu Delekta for creating sacred space and the perfect landing spot on a bamboo floor
• Mother Teresa for her example of allowing nothing to stand in the way of living life’s purpose
• Nancy Neal for showing me open, loving hearts cross all boundaries and obstacles
• Nikki Giovanni for the comfort I will never be without purpose: “There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well.”
• Norman Shub for locating my “steel rods” and teaching me self-confidence is believing in my abilities; self-esteem is believing in my very being
• Oprah for having the guts to perservere and lead the way
• Pat Wynn Brown for sharing her bliss and urging me to follow mine
• Phil Bradford Jr. for comforting me that God will not give me more than I can bear
• Phyllis Krumm for advising me when guests are expecting cheese and crackers I should surprise them with cinnamon toast!
• Rabbi Jerome Folkman for his wisdom that intelligent people get help
• Regina Blos for courage in face of losing everything tangible
• Rob Berkley for transforming my life and my soul by loving me to my very core
• Roseanne Rosannadanna for having attitude: “it just goes to show ya…it’s always something!”
• Sarah Ban Breathnach for writing a book that I read every single day for two years to keep my head above water
• Stedman Graham for cheering me on in my new, unheard-of profession by assuring me life and executive coaching fit me “like a glove”
• Stephen Cluney for telling me everything I need is already inside of me
• That Girl for the hope and belief that I, too, could grow up, have my own apartment and a great boyfriend like Donald!
• Thich Nhat Hahn for being the first to show me exactly how to slow down and mindfully drink a cup of tea, wash a dish, take a walk, breathe in loving kindness
• Thomas Leonard for helping me to perfect the work and life of my dreams — effortlessly
• Wilber Philber, the cat, for nudging me every day to stop and play
• William Shakespeare for his terrific suggestion: ‘to thine own self be true’

I would love to hear your own example of someone who touched your life and helped to transform it.  Please share in the comments section below.  I look forward to reading your comments!

Happy Day of Love to you,

Debbie

P.S. Thank you to Woman on Fire Melissa McClain for the wonderful, heart-shaped image above; you can view her exquisite work at melissaAnneGallery.

Rob and I spent our weekend hosting the annual group Vision Day in Naples, Florida.  People came from all over (mostly the cold North!) to craft a vision for their dreams and a plan to move forward in their lives.  I truly believe every Woman on Fire needs to have a plan to know where she’s going!

Now, I’m packing to leave the warmth of Florida and head to New York City where I will be attending Carole Hyatt’s annual dinner for 100 women.  I love Carole’s events for the fabulous women I always meet and connect with.

Hope you enjoy this week’s book video and recommendation. Find out how reading The Girls From Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow inspired me to accomplish something I’d been wanting to do for at least a decade!

If you cannot see the video, or if it does not play, please click here

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.  We would love to hear about your experiences getting back together with old friends, or your long lasting friendships and how they have endured.

“I began to have an idea of my life, not as a slow shaping of achievement to fit my preconceived purposes, but as the gradual discovery and growth of a purpose which I did not know.” ~ Joanna Field, English psychologist

Have you had times in your life when you were struggling and the perfect words arrived – in person, on paper, or both – that let you know eventually you’d be OK?

For many years, that quote above, beautifully handwritten on fancy stationery, lived in a frame front-and-center on my desk.  My angel of a friend Leesa Brown of Columbus, Ohio mailed it to me after a get-together in which she showered me with praise and predicted someday I would write a book.

Yet, to me at the time, my future had the clarity of a Jackson Pollock painting.

I felt crazed and immobilized by grief from the death of my beloved mother-in-law Libby; I was on my way to getting divorced; and I swear I was physically sick more days than not.  To top it off, after a successful career as a newspaper reporter and a Governor’s press secretary, I was stuck in the mud trying to figure out what did I really, truly want to do with my life?

Beautiful, gentle Leesa.  Calmly, quietly affirmed me.  Believed in me. Reminded me of my promise and my potential.  Then, she sealed her support with a remarkable quote that helped to carry me through the years ahead.

Her ability to show me my light in such a lovely, memorable way reminds me to this day of the incredible impact we have and can have on each other.

I hung on to the words of Leesa and many other wonderful supporters as I wobbled out onto the skinny branches in search of my place and peace of mind.

What profound power we have to change the world for the better when we encourage and support each other.

Even though my struggle felt unending at the time, it was only temporary. My life’s purpose and work found me!  Then, along came a remarkable relationship and partnership with Rob and the chance to live the life I truly wished for.  And, years later I wrote that book that Leesa knew I had in me.

What a difference you make when you genuinely observe or notice the talent, wisdom and beauty in another woman – and you tell her.

Leesa likely had no idea of my pain when she reached out with her praise.  No one usually knows the depths of our struggles, do they?

And, really, they don’t need to.  What does matter is a simple practice. One in which we honor those we love, care about and work with by giving them genuine, positive feedback about their gifts, strengths and talents. No shoulds, musts or have tos. Just a clear observation of their attributes.

Is there one woman in your life right now whose gifts and talents you notice yet you may not have clearly, specifically told her?

She could be your boss, colleague, best friend, sister, mother, daughter, aunt, niece, neighbor, babysitter.  Even if you think it is obvious or that surely she already knows how special she is, you might try it, anyway.

Go ahead. Tell her what it is you see in her.  You never know where it might lead.

You could simply brighten her day, or you could change her life.  Who knows? Over time, by seeing and affirming together we could even make the world a better place.  I am optimistic!

If someone has touched your life like Leesa Brown has touched mine, we would love to hear about it. You can let us know in the comments below. What did she say to you? How did she say it? How did it affect you?

This week is our first of occasional book reviews.

If you’re anything like me you have stacks of books you are hoping and wanting to read.  Yet, you’re always looking for more!

Here’s a book that didn’t sit on my shelf at all.  I dove right in.  The Voice That Calls You Home (Amazon affiliate link) was written by Ohio native Andrea Raynor, who is a mom, a Hospice chaplain who worked at Ground Zero — and a cancer survivor.  Take a look:

If you have trouble viewing the video or it does not appear, please click here

Now, I hope you’ll share your favorite book recommendations too.  Just pop on down and let us all know what you’re reading and recommending in the comments section.

Hugs to you from Naples, Florida where it is finally warm again.  I stuck my winter coat back into the closet, and I’m crossing my fingers it stays there!

Last week I watched the words “Pants on the Ground” ping across Facebook and Twitter like some sort of a secret code.  All I could decipher was a sense of delight and amusement. I had no idea what it meant — or that it would relate to Women on Fire –  until I saw the video…

Now I know, what you and so many others may have seen on American Idol!  And, here’s how “General” Larry Pratt and his catchy “Pants on the Ground” chant relates to being a Woman on Fire:

Mr. Platt, 62, obviously had a dream to be on American Idol.  Few probably took him seriously.  Who knows how long he’d been out there sharing “Pants on the Ground” with anyone who would listen?  Success to be on television certainly was not stacked in his favor.

And, as Simon Cowell so “kindly” pointed out:  “you’re a little bit over the age limit, which is 28.”

But here’s what Mr. Platt had mountains of:
•    Excitement
•    Enthusiasm
•    Joy
•    Determination
•    A message he wanted to share
•    Indomitable spirit

As a woman on fire, when we express excitement and enthusiasm about our dreams, we create a force-field around ourselves to make it come true.

And, that is exactly what Mr. Platt did. By the end of the video, Randy Jackson was dancing with him; an entire room of people were singing and bopping to “Pants on the Ground”; the world of social media buzzed with the song title; and in my own household the tune plays over and over in our heads!

Even Simon had to concede: “I don’t think this is going to be the last we hear about you, Larry.”

Marianne Williamson reminds us: “Do not stop before the miracle.”

“General” Larry Platt certainly didn’t.  And, I hope you won’t either  — whatever your dream, no matter how insignificant, crazy, unrealistic you think it is.  If you’re wanting something deep in your soul, hop over to our blog and share it.

You just never know what you might start — or what might happen!

Hello and brrrrrrr from Naples, Florida.

You do not need to feel sorry for me one bit, but I am c-o-l-d!
In the 10 years since we designed our life with Florida as our winter home, I’ve never felt it so frigid that I’ve had to wear my winter coat, socks and gloves. But I have all week!

Even our indoor cat Wilber who loves Florida because he gets to go outside in his screened-in “catatarium” took one sniff this morning in the 35-degree chill…

And, then begged to come back inside!

Given that many of you are likely surrounded by snow and ice and freezing temperatures and have been for the past weeks, I thought we needed to have a little fun in today’s Spark!

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I mentioned five questions you might ask yourself for a more fulfilling, rewarding life?  And, told you we’d talk about them in future issues?

Well, here we are.  And, the first of those five questions was:
* Am I living in the location of my dreams?

In other words, do you live in your geographic home, the place you most resonate to?  The area of the world you feel most energized in and that suits you?

As a coach, I hear from people all the time who say the location they feel their best is near water or by mountains, or on the West Coast or East Coast, or in Italy or Australia.  Sadly, and quite often, these same people don’t live anywhere near where they wish.

As often, I hear from people who aren’t sure where their “geographic home” is.  So, if you want to get an idea of where your perfect location is in the United States, there is a terrific website with a free “perfect spot locator” called Find Your Spot.

Even if you’re living in your dream location, it’s fun to see all the possibilities where you also might live a deeply fulfilling life.

Have fun! And, as always, meet me on our blog and share your thoughts and  insight.

Living in my “geographic homes” of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida has been richly satisfying and rewarding.

That said, I’m going to give Naples a few more days to warm up — or Hawaii may have to become my top hot spot!

My husband Rob Berkley is Guy#1 in the growing legion of men we call “Women on Fire — and the Men Who Love Them.”  He, and other men, thank you, often introduce me to inspiring women who become part of our organization.

Case in point: Rob arrived home after speaking at a conference and very excitedly announced, “do I have a ‘woman on fire’ for you!”

At the conference, he had met Sophfronia Scott.

Now, I had heard of Sophfronia from my friend the successful info-entrepreneur Ali Brown, who spoke of Sophfronia with the same glowing enthusiasm as Rob. I had even read Sophfronia’s book Doing Business By The Book and shared it with others.

So, I invited Sophfronia to attend a Women on Fire Tea Party in New York – and she did!

The day I met Sophfronia Scott at her first tea party last April!

What has struck me in this past year of getting to know this gentle, wise woman with a very big heart is that she exemplifies one of the most important skills of a woman on fire:  the ability to cheer on the successes of other women.

In fact, after attending her first tea party, Sophfronia signed up for another one.  And, this time brought along a talented, long-time friend hers.  Sophfronia wanted this young woman to have the experience of seeing her light shine in a group of appreciative, supportive women.  Sophfronia beamed like a lighthouse as the young woman, shy at first, shared her life and what she is on fire about!

At Maria Shriver’s recent Women’s Conference, former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright drew cheers and laughter when she said, “there is a special place in Hell for women who do not help other women.”

I prefer to think there is a special place in Heaven for the Sophfronia Scotts and all of the other Women on Fire who are making a real difference in this world by cheering each other on.

It is my honor to introduce you to Ms. Sophfronia Scott!

This Week’s Woman On Fire: Sophfronia Scott

Joined Women on Fire: 2009

Sophfronia Scott
Author and Book Coach
Newtown, Connecticut
Website: www.doneforyouwriting.com
Business name: The Done For You Writing & Publishing Co.
Total number of Women On Fire tea parties/events attended: 2

Sophfronia’s current projects:
1.    Anthology: To be published in 2010 — How the Fierce Handle Fear: Secrets to Succeeding in Challenging Times
2.    Screenplay: “The Affairs of Midnight”
3.    Novel: The Fairchild Sisters Sing Songs of Blue
4.    Product: “Business Book Bootcamp” home study system
5.    Course: Teaching “Business Book Bootcamp” starting January 14. www.BusinessBookBootcamp.com

How did you come to be a part of Women On Fire?
Debbie invited me to a tea party in New York in April 2009.

What would you like other Women On Fire to know about you, your work, your challenges you’ve overcome and your life?
I help speakers and entrepreneurs to write books to successfully market their businesses.  It’s gratifying work—my clients produced six books in 2009!

But on the other side of that—and I think most women deal with this—is when I spend so much time helping others, it’s hard to practice my own art. Sometimes I worry about what would happen if I did devote more time to my art.

So this year I decided to do things a little differently: I’m declaring 2010 “The Year of Living Fearlessly” and I’m going to explore what happens when I do make certain priorities. It’s going to be an adventure, and I hope to engage a lot of people in the conversation about living without fear (the anthology I’m publishing this year is a big part of that).

So that’s what you’ll see from me: a woman who is fearless—and on fire!

Which of the 20 Women On Fire Aspirations speaks to you the most?
Right now I’m working with two of the Aspirations.

I’m continually inspired by Aspiration #11 “I am aware of my powerful impact on others”, because when I am working on what I do best, amazing things happen not just for me, but for others. My published clients are a testament to that. And when I write from my heart, it has a vast effect on my readers. I feel it’s my responsibility to do more of that. And from that point, I’m dealing with the Aspiration #17, “I may not yet know fully ‘how to get there’ toward my next desires, but I am on my way!”

Name one idea, connection, achievement, success or change in your life that resulted from you being a part of Women on Fire.

Meeting Shannon McCaffery, a co-author of the Women on Fire book who has a business called The Marketing Implementer, has been a wonderful connection.

At the last tea party Shannon and I started a conversation about how I’m doing way too much on my own in my business. I’m hoping to work with her in the future to handle some of my marketing and this has the potential to free up a lot of time for me.

Sophfronia at her second tea party with Shannon McCaffery

I also had lunch with Gloria Feldt after meeting her at my first tea party. She’s a woman who has accomplished great things. She is the past president of Planned Parenthood of America and the co-author with the actress Kathleen Turner of the New York Times best-seller Send Yourself Roses.

It was fascinating to listen to her describe her current journey to
create her next great thing. To me, she’s a tremendous role model for
knowing that it’s never too late and you’re never done: the “great work” is ongoing.

Gloria also just asked to include me in her upcoming book Unlimited, which is about women’s relationship with power.  It’s a huge honor — I feel like I’m only just beginning to wield my power and I have a lot to learn from her!

Do you have a favorite or inspiring memory from a Women on Fire tea party?
Getting to enjoy the last tea party with my friend Katherine Kellgren. I brought her to the party to celebrate her achievements of 2009, and it was great to see her “get it” that she too is an amazing, accomplished woman and belonged in that room.

What strategy keeps you going?
It’s important to me to remember why I have to keep going: my family, especially my 5-year-old son, motivates me because I want certain opportunities and experiences for all of us. When I forget why I’m doing something the work can get very difficult.

What does being a part of Women On Fire mean to you?
Whenever I get together with the Women On Fire, I get reminded of and more connected with my goals and desires. I also get to celebrate what I’ve done, which I don’t take time to do in the normal course of life. I also love the intimate nature of the gatherings, where every minute is quality time and we get to talk about what’s really important to all of us. Such experiences are priceless.

The collective joy after a Women on Fire Tea Party!

What would you like to tell other Women on Fire about their own hopes and dreams?
It’s never too late to pursue your hopes and dreams. I think as women, we pay an inordinate amount of attention to age and clocks and because of that, we limit ourselves by thinking we’ve grown too old for something.

I say as long as you w

ant it and there is a way for you to pursue it, then you must travel the road. Otherwise, you’ve relegated yourself to living only half of your true potential.

You can learn more about Sophfronia Scott and her award-winning book by going to www.doneforyouwriting.com

P.S. Many of you have been asking when and where the next Women on Fire tea parties are. Here you go and with many more in other cities planned in 2010:

Next

tea parties are in Columbus, Ohio on March 11 and New York City on March 26.

To register for Columbus, contact: Andrea Dowding at andreadowding1@columbus.rr.com

To register for New York City, go to www.wofnyc.com