She’s a Woman on Fire! Meet Mary Brown

by on April 13, 2015

Welcome back to our ongoing series to introduce you to each other.  She’s a Woman on Fire! member and we want you to know her.  Please say hello to…

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Mary Burnett Brown

Woodland Park, Colorado

Women on Fire Member #00103

Member since: Feb. 29, 2012

Please tell us about YOU, your family and your work. What are you “on fire” about?

I am an old soul with childlike wonder. I have been an international flight attendant for more than 32 years. I call it the “magic carpet ride.” I recently started working one of the longest flights flown on the 777-300, from the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport to Hong Kong.

Tom, my husband of more than 21 years, is also a flight attendant. We sometimes fly together and have exciting and adventurous layovers.

I am on fire about learning to live from deep in my heart.

How did you originally connect to Women on Fire?

I was listening to Janette Barber’s radio show when she interviewed Debbie Phillips about the organization.

What’s your favorite component of the Women on Fire membership?

I feel that Women on Fire is a safe place where women can have their voice!

What is your favorite part of the day?

I love getting up in the morning and having a cup of coffee with my husband.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend to other Women on Fire?

I have read so many wonderful books. One that I recommend is Unbinding the Heart by Agapi Stassinopoulos. It helped me open my heart to love.

What is one thing you’re proudest of?

I have learned to listen to my intuition and live by the truth that comes from the heart.

If you had an unexpected free day, how would you spend it?

I love listening to music that soothes my soul and reading spiritual books that help awaken my truth. I love walking down our dirt road and enjoying the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

What is your favorite city in the world?

London, England. I love the Victorian Era.

Name another Woman on Fire who has inspired you, and tell why.

Carrie Saba has inspired me to live from deep in my heart. I took Carrie’s online course, “Unlocked.” The course helped me to unlock a door around my heart, so I can see how beautiful I am inside. She also encouraged me to say affirmations to myself. My favorite one is “My life is full of magic, miracles and love.” Since taking her course, my life is full of all three of these things.

What’s your big dream?

I am living my dream everyday, which is happiness. I find that living from my heart is what brings me happiness. I also have learned to listen to my intuition and to see the hundreds of synchronicities that occur in my life.

If you had the opportunity to teach a child one strategy that would help to guide her life, what would that be?

Don’t rely on other people or material possessions to make you happy. Find happiness every day in yourself. Learn what really makes you happy.

What is something we might be surprised to know about you?

I was once Brutus the Buckeye, the mascot for The Ohio State University. I was also an actor and model and starred in several television commercials and national print ads. I attended both Ohio State and high school in northwestern Ohio with Debbie Phillips.

Who cheers you on?

My husband, Tom, who is my soul partner on this journey. We cheer each other on.

What is your favorite “pig-out” food?

It is Popcorn Indiana’s movie-theater popcorn and their Chipins sea-salt-flavored popcorn chips.

What are the top three songs on your iPod or Kindle Fire right now?

“A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay, and the Cat Stevens’ songs “The Wind” and “On the Road to Find Out.”

What is the biggest challenge you’ve ever faced and how did you overcome it?

I fear making mistakes, so I avoid doing things that I am uncomfortable with. Every day I work on facing my fears and learning new things. I recently had my first opportunity to work the first-class galley position on the flight from Dallas/Ft. Worth to Frankfurt, Germany. My position as a galley flight attendant is to set up the food and beverage carts, cook the meals, and plate the meals in a timely manner. I was so nervous, but I told myself, “I can do this.” The service went well and the crew said I did a great job. I faced my fear and I felt awesome!

What is your go-to self-care strategy?

I make no plans for the day, and I just go with the flow.

When you reflect on your life so far, what is the first word or two that come to your mind?

Wow and Magical.

More about Mary Brown…

As a free spirit, explorer and lover of spiritual conversations, Mary Brown’s long career as an international flight attendant and resident in the Rocky Mountains allows her the best of all worlds. Mary was born in Detroit, moved to northwest Ohio as a teenager, and later graduated from The Ohio State University. She currently lives at 9,200 feet above sea level, just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her husband, Tom, and cat, Lakey. She enjoys taking photos and connecting her spirit to nature. You are welcome to say hello to her at healthymountain777(at)yahoo(dot)com.

She’s a Woman on Fire! feature is compiled by senior writer Becky Adams.

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Just when I needed help most…

by on December 9, 2013

A couple of weeks ago I looked at my schedule for the rest of 2013 and couldn’t imagine how I was going to fit it all in.  Plus, I was so tired if you saw me you’d say, “yup, you look pretty bad and wiped out.”

*This week’s Pinspiration*

Pin to share the love

Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage- Check out the latest from www.womenonfire.com about vulnerabilty

That’s when I called in a Women on Fire sister to my rescue — Janette Barber!  (You’ll see this phenomenal woman below in the happy blue glasses.)

“Help,” I yelped. “I don’t think I can make it into New York City to lead our beloved holiday tea. Even though I want to so much.”

Women on Fire Tea in New York City led by Janette holding brand-new copies of our Women on Fire book! Front row: Shannon McCaffery, Teri Goetz, Janette Barber, Darlene Wade. Second row: Meredith Schoenberger, Karen Panish, Stephanie Dalfonzo, Jaclyn Reilly, Daren Stinson. Back row: Ellen Wingard, Holly Getty, Eva Tenuto, Julie Bovey, Colleen Pero, Sheryl Snyder, Susan Perry. (Photos by Benjamin  Philabaum)


Making new friends at the tea — Sheryl Snyder and Shannon McCaffery


Women on Fire spiced up the holidays at the tea with Colleen Pero, Karen Panish, Holly Getty, Janette Barber and Ellen Wingard.

And when I put out the distress signal, how did Janette respond?

“Yes.  I am happy to. And I’m honored and grateful that you know that I mean it when I said I wanted to help.  I’m also glad to see you taking care of yourself because you are under such stress.”

Now that is an amazing friend and exactly what I’ve come to rely on inside our community. And it was true, Janette took one look at me a few weeks earlier and offered to do anything I needed.

So Janette led the tea for me, and already I’ve heard back so much positive and exciting feedback about what an amazing experience it was!

I tell you all of this because I wonder how often are you offered help? When you are, do you take it seriously? Do you accept it?

This is an area I have so much trouble with myself. But I am so often rewarded by such love and support when I do that I’m finally learning to let go of “doing it all” and let in the help that’s right here for me.

In asking someone for help, I often worry about burdening them.  And here in her loving email written after she filled in for me at the tea, my dear Janette released me of all guilt when she wrote:

“I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to me to know that you trust me enough to know that you can ask. It means the world to me.”

No, Janette, you mean the world to me.

Thank you for being a part of this amazing sisterhood!

Whose help are you going to accept this week? 🙂

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Just say goodbye

by on February 11, 2013

Have you ever lost or left a job – whether you loved it or hated it – and felt adrift, or vaguely unhappy, or even too stuck to move on?

Today I want to share with you a strategy – Writing A Goodbye Letter To Your Job – that can help free you if you, a friend, family member or client ever end up in job-leaving limbo.

I created this strategy many years ago when I had trouble making a clean separation myself.

I quit a job I loved as a Governor’s press secretary.  The Governor’s term was coming to an end.  It was time to go. And, writing the goodbye letter helped me to honor my work and move on to my next dream, which was to attend graduate school at Harvard University.

But first …

Let’s say hello to many, many new Women on Fire for whom this is your first Spark! 

We have so many new readers after radio talk show host (and beloved Woman on Fire) Janette Barber interviewed me last week on SiriusXM.  If you know Janette, you know what a dynamo she is.

She’s been a stand-up comic; she created and hosted “Lighten Up” on the Food Channel; she played a key role with Rosie O’Donnell on TV and radio.  And, for the last year and a half she hosted Janette’s Show on SiriusXM.

Last week, despite a very loyal listenership, her show was cancelled.

And, Janette, being Janette, has a peace about it all. She always lands on her feet and we can look forward to whatever she does next!

So, she asked me to come on one of her final shows to discuss strategies that can help people if they lose or choose to leave their jobs.

Writing A Goodbye Letter To Your Job can greatly ease the transition. I have used this strategy countless times since I started my coaching practice in 1995. And, it can bring insights, relief and hope to the writer.

It’s even helpful if you have a new job that you are excited about, but still find yourself ruminating or thinking about what went wrong or people and work you miss in your last job.

Below you will find 15 prompts to write your letter and suggestions for what to do after you finish your letter.  So, here’s what you do:

Begin by writing to your job.  For example: Dear Production Assistant, Dear Teacher, Dear Senior Vice President, whatever your job was.

Using all, or whichever prompts speak to you, take your time to wrote your letter. My preferred way is to write long-hand.  Continue writing until you feel finished and have nothing more to say to the job.

Prompts for Writing a Goodbye Letter to Your Job

  1. During the time you held your job, what significant events occurred in your life?
  2. Describe what part this job has played in your career.
  3. What will you miss?
  4. What won’t you miss?
  5. Who will you miss?
  6. Who won’t you miss?
  7. Who did you meet who turned out to be important to your growth?
  8. During your time in this job, what was your biggest disappointment?
  9. What do you want to “take” with you?
  10. What do you want to make sure you never repeat?
  11. Your funniest moment?
  12. Your best accomplishment?
  13. How much money do you estimate you made during this job?
  14. Is there anything about the way this job ended that you want to note?
  15. Five years from now, you will look back on this job and you will know:

When you are done, be sure to thank your job and say goodbye.

Then, you can choose to do any number of things:

Burn it.

Shred it.

Tuck it away for safekeeping.

Read it out loud to someone you trust.

Keep it with instructions to read again after a period of time.

Enjoy this strategy if you choose to use it.  And feel free to keep me posted on how it worked for you.

Janette said she plans to write her letter goodbye to SiriusXM.  Please join me in wishing this wonderful Woman on Fire a clear path to her next best and greatest adventure!

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Nothing happens unless first a dream

by on June 25, 2012

I just arrived home from New York City where I celebrated with a number of you at a Women on Fire Tea and appeared on Janette Barber’s radio show on Sirius XM.

The trip was filled with many delicious surprises.
Women on Fire Tea in New York City on Friday — Front row: Lara Licharowicz, Jolie Solomon, Renee Schmidt; second row: Darlene Wade, Ann Graham, Janette Barber, Mary Ann Donatelli-Reilly, Holly Getty, Ellen Wingard, Debbie Phillips, Jenifer Madson, Kim Anderson, Sandra Carlson, Heike Vogel, Janina Sebesky and Muffy Vrana (Photos by Rob Berkley)

My birthday is June 25 so my husband came along to New York and treated me to an early birthday dinner with friends and a spa afternoon with Woman on Fire Holly Getty!

And, Woman on Fire Sarah Elizabeth Greer hosted an extraordinary brunch complete with a handsome bassist playing some of my favorite tunes.

So sliding into my actual birthday (a day I share with Woman on Fire Sandra Carlson!) I already feel very loved and blessed!


I love having the same birthday as Sandra Carlson of Washington, DC. Happy birthday to us on June 25! Do you share a birthday with anyone you know?

During my many discussions in New York, we talked a lot about going for our dreams.  And, one of you asked me: how do I even figure out my dreams?

Great question!

So before we talk about that today …

I want to welcome many of you who are here for the very first time.

Quite a few of you found us when you heard Janette Barber interviewing me on her radio show about the power of Women on Fire — women supporting and cheering each other to go for our dreams.


On the air with the fabulous Janette Barber, talking about the inspiration, strategies and support that make Women on Fire such an uplifting community!

As the American writer, editor and poet Carl Sandburg said: “Nothing happens unless first a dream.”

Fascinating to consider, isn’t it?

Here are some of the questions I’ve personally used and asked of many coaching clients over the years to help them figure out dreams worth pursuing.

Answer with as much candor as you can and this is also a good exercise to journal:

1) Who do you enjoy helping and what problems can you solve for them?

2) What wrong in the world do you want to make right?

3) When you were a child or teen-ager, what did you dream of doing?

4) What do people come to you for?

5) If money or making a living were not a consideration, what would you do with your precious life?

Your answers to one or more of these questions will give you clues to dreams you may want to follow. Your answers also can unearth long-held dreams that you’ve forgotten.

In my own life, my answer to Question #1 led me to my dream that eventually became Women on Fire!

The people I wanted to help were my women coaching clients.  Successful in many ways, they were often isolated and feeling alone in their struggles.

My dream was to connect them in a fun and inspiring way so they could have the experience of being surrounded and empowered by other women cheering on their successes.

It was started out with a handful of women at a tea party — and voila nearly a decade later we are more than 3,000 women strong!


Cheering each other on — here I am at last week’s tea party in New York City with Janina Sebesky, Mary Ann Donatelli-Reilly and Janette Barber — amazing, supportive Women on Fire.

Indeed, nothing happens unless first a dream!

May your life be filled with inspiring dreams and the inspiration, strategies and support to pursue them.

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The secret ingredient

by on March 2, 2012

I am on my way to California to attend a women’s conference that I will tell you all about next week.

Before I go, I want to show you a picture that delights me — of radiant smiles after a Women on Fire tea party.  Thank you, Renata Ramsini, for capturing the women at last week’s tea in Columbus led by Jan Allen. Today, I’ll tell you the secret ingredient that makes these gatherings so very wonderful and powerful.


Women on Fire Tea last week in Columbus — Front row: Erin Brewer, Kris Myers, Jan Allen, Mary Kay Purdy, Nanci Larsen, Phoebe Lapine. Second row: Jane Juergens, Lisa Everson, Sara Diehl, Laura Benton, Julie Quackenbush, Jessika Ferm, Mary Duafala, Pam Allen, Roxanne Crocco, Michele Hoyle, Julia McLemore.

Women tell me all the time they are surprised by what happens at a tea and how connected they often feel.

Maybe they’ve said something out loud they’ve never voiced before.  Or, maybe they sat next to someone they’d never met, but shared so much in common that they were sure I sat them next to each other on purpose!

What I know for sure is when women get the chance to connect in a safe and inspiring environment, magic happens.

How often does that happen in your life?  How often do you connect with people who make you feel good to be alive?

When we can vulnerably and authentically share what is on our minds and in our hearts, we feel connected. And, when we feel connected, we feel worthy of our dreams.

Radio talk show host Janette Barber, who has attended at least a million Women on Fire teas in New York City, frequently says, “the tea party always works.”

What she means is that no matter the city and no matter the women who attend, being able to be ourselves, to share what is authentic and vulnerable, and to feel connected “always works!”

Research shows that when we experience feelings of connection and belonging, it gives purpose and meaning to our lives.  So, that’s why I think there are big smiles and much happiness after a Women on Fire gathering!

Some of you may know the work of researcher and story-teller Brene Brown.  (She is both brilliant and adorable, I might add!)

If not, I hope you will take some time to check out her inspiring talk at TEDx.

She and her research suggest that “to let ourselves be seen, deeply seen, vulnerably seen … to love with our whole hearts even though there is no guarantee … to practice gratitude and joy in those moments of terror … to feel this vulnerable means I am alive.

“When we work from this place, we stop screaming and start listening and we are kinder and gentler to the people around us and we are kinder and gentler to ourselves.”

This is why I love our teas and every single occasion where Women on Fire connect and we so often share what is vulnerable.

Dr. Brown inspires us further that “vulnerability is the birthplace of joy, of love, of belonging, of creativity, of faith and so it becomes very problematic when, as a culture, we lose our capacity to be vulnerable.”

Even though it may feel scary to tell another person our heart’s deepest longings, our fears, our insecurities, doing so is the very thing that will connect us and allow others to support us.

It is why I always encourage you to reach out and gather support before you embark on your journey.

And, vulnerability is the secret ingredient of why you feel so very good inside when you have shared your heart safely with someone who receives you.

Talk to you next week from sunny San Diego!

Have a wonderful week and let me know how you’re doing ~

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Want to be on the radio with me?

by on March 20, 2011

Whew.  My last load of laundry is somersaulting in the dryer.  I am back out on the road and headed to New York City!

I was home in Naples just long enough for Rob to take this great picture under the bright moon last night with our dear friend and Women on Fire champion Debbie Cook.


Double Debbies — Phillips and Cook — wearing Women on Fire red!

Hard to believe it’s been only a few days since my phenomenal trip to Michigan, hosted by another amazing Woman on Fire Mary Ellen Jones, where I met so many of you.

The events where I spoke – the RENEW conference, the Chamber of Commerce, the Women on Fire Tea and the book signing in Alpena are still fresh on my mind and in my heart.  (If you missed it, here’s video of the highlights!)

People often ask me how I keep going and get so much done.

It is because I have YOU to lift me up and cheer me on.   No matter where I go, I feel so supported by the many fabulous women in our Women on Fire community.

But what makes my life most rewarding is when I can share with you all the great people I meet and opportunities I get to help women live the lives they dream of.

This week, I have something super special for you.  I am appearing on Martha Stewart Living Radio — and I want to take you with me!

Here’s how the opportunity came about.

Many of you know Woman on Fire Janette Barber.   After a tragic childhood, she’s lived an inspired life as a stand-up comic, Emmy-winning television and radio writer and producer, speaker, author and humanitarian — and she is a fabulous friend and inspiration to many of you.


Janette Barber inspiring a Women on Fire audience!

Janette has the distinction of attending the very first Women on Fire Tea in New York City seven years ago. Agapi Stassinopoulos invited her to join us and that’s where we first met.


Janette attended the very first Women on Fire Tea in New York City in 2004

This week Janette is hosting “Living Today” on Martha Stewart Radio (Sirius 112 and XM 157) — and I’ll be her guest at 2:20PM Thursday, March 24 to talk about my favorite subject — Women on Fire!

She and I would LOVE for you to call in and share what you are “on fire” about in your life!

Here are the details:

If you don’t already have SiriusXM on your radio or iPhone, you can download it for free and under Entertainment you will find Martha Stewart Living Radio.

Then, you can call 1-866-675-6675 or tweet @martharadio

If you’ve never called a radio show before, don’t worry.  Janette and I will be there to answer your call and it’s so fun and easy.  It’s a chance to share what you are “on fire” about in your life and let the rest of the world know your passion!

All you have to do is say your name, where you’re from and what you’re on fire about in your life.  Just like you do at a Women on Fire Tea!

I look so forward to you having a chance to tell the world what you are on fire about.

Wishing you a very happy week ahead,

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What do you love, love, love?

by on February 13, 2011

Before I take one more breath, you know what I love, love, love?

YOU!

I love you for coming here week after week, sharing your heart, your struggles, your experience, your talent, your dreams.

Women on Fire is a community filled with such warmth, connection and caring that if we were to have our own official holiday it would be Valentine’s Day!


Celebrating love with cupcakes sent from newlyweds Maritza Parra and Jeff Herring!

I love when you tell me about living your heart’s highest calling; working toward and achieving your dreams; or being lifted up by one another.

Here’s a peek inside my world of Women on Fire this past week. I want to share with you some of the love:

*  Maritza Parra and Jeff Herring got married.  (And sent cupcakes to celebrate!)

* Mary Ellen Jones is joyfully and successfully engaged in orchestrating a  transformative Women’s Event (and a Women on Fire Tea!) in Alpena, Michigan. (I’ll be the keynote speaker at the main event and I cannot wait to meet all of you who are attending.)

* Andrea Dowding and Jerry Browning, along with Jan Allen, connected another group of fabulous, inspiring women to each other at a Women on Fire Tea in Columbus, Ohio.

* Janette Barber is being talked about on Facebook and Sirius/XM to host her own radio show when her boss Rosie O’Donnell leaves in June for Oprah’s network OWN. Please click on the Facebook link to lend support!

* Janina Serden Sebesky’s beloved musical CHICK SOUP has nearly sold out a 1,000-plus-seat venue in North Port, Florida.

* Sitting in a Parisian restaurant, Holly Getty wrote of the deep gratification she feels when she helps Women on Fire to create their authentic style.

* Women on Fire Book Co-Author Laurie Forster’s first shipment of wine from her exclusive Wine Coach Club arrived on our doorstep!  A dream-come-true for our former software sales executive who followed her passion and has become sought-after speaker and celebrated wine educator.

*  Author and coach Margie Warrell, of McLean, Virginia, completed a treatment of her proposed, inspiring television show about freeing people from their deepest fears.

* Dawn Greenfield, owner of YogaBorn in Manchester, Connecticut, is achieving her dream to reach families of Traumatic Brain Injury to share the profound benefits that yoga can have on TBI survivors.

*  Anne Thurston of Boyne City, Michigan published E-males, a book about her “lively search for love,” and she’s looking for someone to help her with distribution. She also reports she’s having fun writing a newspaper column.  And, she concluded her email to me with this:

“I succeeded in finding a second love. A wonderful man who like me cannot believe what has happened to our lives. We feel 16.”

He is 85.  She’s about to turn 88.

See what I mean about how I love, love, love Women on Fire?

And, finally…

Before you go, I know there are so many more of you “on fire” and in love with aspects of your life, too.  Please pop down to the comments section and let us know what it is you love, love, love!


Women on Fire Marketing Director Jamie Eslinger and I reminding you of the power of love and connection we share as you reach for your dreams and support each other’s!

Happy Valentine’s Day with lots of love ~

Debbie

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Fun Video: Women on Fire Recap 2010

by on January 4, 2011

Hello to you and to 2011!

Here’s a quick look back on 2010.  These video snippets are but a fraction of the fun we had at Women on Fire in 2010. Especially check out the wisdom of Janette Barber and Stedman Graham!

I hope you see yourself in this video. You are the reason I personally enjoyed a phenomenally inspiring and exciting year!

Super talent Jamie Eslinger, Women on Fire’s marketing and communications director, created this video. She and I had so much fun going to the beach in Naples, Florida to film the last scene in it.

Of course, I could have talked for an hour instead of a minute.  I have so much to say to you about living your life full out!  Your gifts, strengths and talents shared are changing the world.

Enjoy the video and feel free to comment on anything you want to say about your experience with Women on Fire.  I love, love, love hearing from you!

Congratulations for everything you’ve accomplished, created, achieved – and survived! – in 2010.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of our Women on Fire community. You are – and we are together — changing the way women connect with each other and feel supported to stay strong on our paths to succeed.

Lots of new plans, programs and events ahead in 2011 to inspire your extraordinary life!

With love and excitement for all your possibilities ~

Debbie

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We’ve Got Mail!

by on April 4, 2010

After a very fun visit, we just packed up our niece Margaret, 13 and nephew Sam, 7 and put them on a plane — along with ALL of their Easter candy — to return home to St. Louis.

(I hope the people sitting next to them on the plane — and their mother picking them up — will forgive us!)

Your SPARK! this week is a personal letter written to me that I have permission to share with you.  The letter reveals what happens when we  embrace our gifts and take action.  The result is feeling alive and passionate, which is one of the 20 aspirations and principles to becoming a Woman on Fire.

Before we get to the letter, I want to congratulate the co-authors of the book Women on Fire: 20 Inspiring Women Share Their Life Secrets (and Save You Years of Struggle!) who opened their hearts and shared their dreams, struggles and pain — and strategies for success to benefit other women.

And, now I want to celebrate Nina Donath of Huntsville, Alabama who so clearly, beautifully, boldly is transforming herself into a Woman on Fire!

Hi Debbie,
A year ago or so, a dear friend told me about you and Women on Fire. She gave me your book in which you wrote a very nice personal message to me in the front.

I first put the book in my stack to read. I finally started it, got a few stories in and laid it down for some reason.

I decided if I was going to pick it up again, I really needed to “study” it, write notes and learn what these amazing women have in common that made them Women on Fire, and to discern some “secrets” that could make me one, too.

And so I did pick the book back up and wrote notes about each story in my journal. I learned that many of the women are where they are today not only through hard work and persistence, but a dream and belief in themselves. Some of the stories are more relatable to me than others but I enjoyed each and every one of them.

As for me, I have worked in a technical field for the last 25 years, which has not been very fulfilling. I have struggled through the years to figure out what I could add to truly feel passionate about my life.

Your book and an unrelated event that happened recently have caused me to no longer struggle.

For years I wanted to apply to be a Huntsville Times (Alabama) community columnist and never did (lack of confidence). Last November the day before the contest deadline for 2010 columnists, I decided I didn’t want one more year to pass by without trying, so I threw together the two required submission entries and hand-carried them to the Huntsville Times office the next day.

Out of 78 entries, I was chosen as one of five columnists, and my column is published the 4th Sunday of every month. This is probably one of the best things that has ever happened to me!

I have always loved to write and have probably 50 journals I’ve written since I was 14. I have also written poetry and some short fiction. I never thought of writing as something I could do for a living or do successfully at all. Writing the column has given me energy and a passion and happiness I have not had for a long time, as well as a confidence in myself and my writing abilities.

Your book made me realize that anything is possible if you have a dream. I would like to eventually do freelance projects, both in my technical field and writing assignments — independent of where I happen to be living at the time. I especially would like to write travel-related stories and work on a novel. Now, I really believe I can attain that dream!

Thank you for your book and your energy and passion to help others. I hope to meet you one day and especially to attend a tea party.

God Bless 🙂

Nina Donath

Congratulations to you, inspiring Nina!

(And thank you to Nina’s dear friend — and mine — Mary Remer who started this lovely chain of transformation by giving Nina the book.)

When I began Women On Fire® in 2003 and then several years later invited the co-authors of the book to talk about their lives and struggles, one of the goals was to provide a forum of positive connection, inspiration, strategies and support for women to live the lives they dream of.  It almost always involves taking action on a gift or talent of yours.

When you read Nina’s letter what goes through your mind?

Good for her? Excitement? Fear? Wow, it’s time for me to get going? I’m inspired, but I don’t know what to do next?

The key is to notice your thought, whatever it is, and use the information to move toward what you want.  Your weekly SPARK! and our gatherings, book, CDs and DVD are all designed to help you get there.

So, what are you thinking now?

What’s one thing you don’t want another year to pass you by on?

Let me know in the comments section below.  I love reading what you have to say… and until I get to see you in person!

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