Welcome to our Awakenings Contest! I look forward to hearing your stories. Together we are changing the world – one person at a time. Just take a breath…and awaken to the possibilities: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBOkZEMPv5A

Thanks so much for this gift. Innovation and change, while exciting, also exact a huge toll on our energies: spirital, mental and physical. Having a reward such as the trip you offer here is a wonderful opportunity for your winner to recharge. How very kind of you to extend it. Best, M.

I appreciate your insightful feedback – innovation and the exchange of ideas are moving at lightening speed, adding to the pace of change and renewal, indeed. Thanks for dropping by – hope you’ll keep in touch — or perhaps share a story about change your life. Warmly, Susan.

The contest rules have been updated. The rules were
simply standard contest legal wording and we certainly do not (now, or in the
future) intend to own any stories, so our apologies!

My Aha Moment

I started
drawing on napkins while I was unemployed and making lunches for my 3
daughters. I would find an interesting quote and illustrate it with a character
or funny scene. My goal was to help them think about various ideas and issues
they might be going through in middle school and high school. 

After many months I felt sort of depressed because it was my main creative
outlet, the only artwork I was doing at the time. I had given up my career as a
practicing artist to get a ‘real’ job and settle down, provide for my family.  But the napkins were of no consequence,
silly little nothings that were being thrown away. I felt pretty low about
things.

My wife at
the time was not happy in the marriage (we later divorced) and took the girls
to California to visit her family in the summer.  I was not invited. I was home alone on Father’s day when the
girls called to tell me they had hid their presents for me around the house. I
walked around the house following their hints and found my 2 of my daughter’s
presents.

My middle daughter
directed me to a bottom drawer in a desk and there I found a napkin she had
drawn for me. It simply said, “Happy Dad’s Day, I love you.”  And below it were all the napkins from the entire year! She had
saved every one and given them back to me for Father’s Day.

It truly was the best present I ever got, I cried when I found
them. She really didn’t, and couldn’t, understand how much it meant to me to
have her do that, and to have them still in existence.

My Aha moment was realizing that even in the most small, inconsequential
gestures you can have a tremendous impact if you do them with love.  I continued to draw the napkins for 4
more years, almost every day, until my youngest graduated from High School.

© 2011 Marty Coleman

The quest for the “Secrets of the Universe” has been a
journey of mine that began around age 12.�
From as early as I have memory, I began life from the perception that I
didn’t “belong” due to my family relationships and circumstances.

This perception of “not belonging” persisted as I entered
school in spite of my obvious social standing and success in school.  I would run for student government positions,
win by a “landslide” and still felt that I wasn’t liked or that I “didn’t fit
in”. After very emotionally turbulent teen years at home, I had to fund myself
through college and medical school.  I
became an eye surgeon and successful entrepreneur. Yet after

I obtained all of the external “things”, money and
relationships that were supposed to “make me happy”; it was just “never
enough”.  In fact “I” was never enough –
this was the real problem in my mind.�
The more success I had, the emptier I became.  After a series of personal tragedies and near
burnout, I finally admitted to myself that I could not control life and my
inner “warrior” turned her passionate focus back to Spirit to pursue those childhood
visions to find those “Secrets of the Universe”.  I embraced my intuition, found a spirituality
that empowered me instead of weakening me and stumbled upon the realization
that our brain was a gateway between our spirit and how we physically show up
in life. 

By integrating my spiritual practice and intuition with
revelations about how our brain/mind works, I was able to unravel a great deal
of the “stories” that I had unwittingly wired into my body’s cellular
memory.  Now brain research supports many
of the measures I took to free my mind and live more into my true
potential.  I have learned how to
reconnect with the joy within and it has created more joy in my external
world.  I have been able to transform the
self-rejection, feelings of loneliness and competition with others that was
once my way of seeing life.  These were
only misperceptions that I now call “cataracts of the soul” that blocked me
from seeing the Light within as well as within others.  The Secrets of the Universe are waiting for
us to open our mind’s eye to embrace “who
we really are” – if we would only perceive
it!

The quest for the “Secrets of the Universe” has been a
journey of mine that began around age 12.�
From as early as I have memory, I began life from the perception that I
didn’t “belong” due to my family relationships and circumstances.

This perception of “not belonging” persisted as I entered
school in spite of my obvious social standing and success in school.  I would run for student government positions,
win by a “landslide” and still felt that I wasn’t liked or that I “didn’t fit
in”. After very emotionally turbulent teen years at home, I had to fund myself
through college and medical school.  I
became an eye surgeon and successful entrepreneur. Yet after

I obtained all of the external “things”, money and
relationships that were supposed to “make me happy”; it was just “never
enough”.  In fact “I” was never enough –
this was the real problem in my mind.�
The more success I had, the emptier I became.  After a series of personal tragedies and near
burnout, I finally admitted to myself that I could not control life and my
inner “warrior” turned her passionate focus back to Spirit to pursue those childhood
visions to find those “Secrets of the Universe”.  I embraced my intuition, found a spirituality
that empowered me instead of weakening me and stumbled upon the realization
that our brain was a gateway between our spirit and how we physically show up
in life. 

By integrating my spiritual practice and intuition with
revelations about how our brain/mind works, I was able to unravel a great deal
of the “stories” that I had unwittingly wired into my body’s cellular
memory.  Now brain research supports many
of the measures I took to free my mind and live more into my true
potential.  I have learned how to
reconnect with the joy within and it has created more joy in my external
world.  I have been able to transform the
self-rejection, feelings of loneliness and competition with others that was
once my way of seeing life.  These were
only misperceptions that I now call “cataracts of the soul” that blocked me
from seeing the Light within as well as within others.  The Secrets of the Universe are waiting for
us to open our mind’s eye to embrace “who
we really are” – if we would only perceive
it!

[...] now until January 24th, share with us any of your “aha” moments in life and you could win a fabulous weekend at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center plus more wonderful prizes from many of the interviewees in my book, Kensho: A Modern Awakening [...]

I walked away from a 9-5 job in the hopes of working with a group of people whom I thought had my best interests in mind. There was the promise of support and guidance. What I found was much different. There was no investment in me or my development for the business. 

After several weeks, my “aha moment” came. I realized that NO ONE cares about your best interest more than you! As a result of this aha, I began to pursue a career choice that I love, where I can soar. I took back the reigns of my life.

This lesson wasn’t easy. I left behind three friends who have made no contact with me after I decided to walk away. This was the evidence of their not investing in me. Nothing invested, nothing lost, nothing gained. 

Life is too short to wait for someone else to promote you, invite you, guide you, or give you an opportunity. Take control of your own life and live YOUR life.

My aha moment came when I turned 45 years old and after two neck surgeries and a back surgery, I was still in unbelievable, chronic pain.  My orthopedic surgeon advised me that it would be in my best interest to start exercising – something that I had avoided at all costs up until then.  I started slowly at a gym with elliptical and treadmill sessions.  Then I added a personal trainer who added strength training with light weights and then moved into kickboxing.  I fell in love with exercising the moment we began kickboxing.�
I have now been using a personal trainer for a minimum of 2 sessions a week in addition to my own workouts (including weekly yoga sessions) for over 5 years.  In fact, I am now attending boot camp sessions (crazy workouts crammed into 30 minute sessions) and my balance, strength, mobility have all improved.  In addition, my back and neck have healed and I am able to live my life without the level of pain I had before working out.�
But I would have to say the most surprising and wonderful thing about working out has been the boost in my self-confidence.  I feel like there is nothing I can’t do, and I approach all things differently (from work to personal).  In the boot camps, I am anywhere from 15 to 20 years older than the other participants…but I am out-performing them because I am committed and driven, but yet I’m at peace within myself and my abilities.
My parents and husband are so surprised that it all worked out this way and have commented on the change in me since I began this fitness journey.  I was the girl who hated to work out when I was younger…I definitely missed out on a lot by not doing this earlier.  But as they say, it’s never too late to get fit.  I am living proof. 

�
Broken Awake
As the twenty-two year old owner of a popular college hotspot, I found myself tumbling headfirst into the trough of mindfulness. We are all guided here from time to time, but we do not always arrive thirsty. This time I was parched with dry, cracked lips. I had taken a rather roundabout route to drink in deeply the fact that the dual challenge of becoming a good leader and a good manager is rather vexing to most people.
I was basically a good person and a rookie manager who, under pressure, lost my brains. Everyone I had ever worked for had played the boss card with an extra heavy hand. Let ’em know with your fire-breathing-outbursts just how you are “feeeeling.” The result was complete confusion concerning my desire to be feared, rather than being competent or well-respected.
They say personal change happens when you are ready. I accelerated my readiness on a night I was blind with fury.
One Friday evening during the course of business, a miscreant had stolen a large picture off the wall. (Giant pictures of celebrities were our main décor items.) This was an unprecedented loss; however, my fuming was directed more at my shirking tribemates and their subsequent blame-throwing, “It’s his fault. No, it’s theirs.” I felt compelled to show the staff that this would not stand. “All eyes better be on the job from here on out!” I yelled angrily. I cussed bitterly, stomped around, and toppled a trashcan full of empty beer bottles.
Still not feeling as if I had sufficiently exorcized enough demons, I dug into my bag of masculine tricks and decided I needed to punch something. I’m going to show them just how pissed off I can be! Having previously punched my share of lockers, walls, and intoxicated combatants (and walking away unscathed) only served to engage the reptilian autopilot mechanism deep within my brain. (For all those concerned about balance in the universe, in the ensuing years I have been flat-out clocked a few times myself.)
�
So there was the target: the broad side of our filing cabinet. That will make a hell of a noise, and if I am lucky, a large dent that will forever serve to remind those who pass by, “Never provoke his mighty wrath.”
KA-POW! Or was it THH-WONK? Nah, it was bunk…followed by “MOTHER F… ATHER, SISTER, BROTHER!”
I’m not sure if I was a step too close or a step too far away, but my roundhouse punch landed squarely into the reinforced corner edge of the new, spontaneously christened, don’t-let-your-mind-write-a check-that-your-hand-can’t-cash file cabinet. “Jeezzzuzzz, that hurts! Man that was dumb!” Okay, repeat those two sentences seventy times in one minute, and you’ll have an idea of how fast I came to the realization I was in need of some personal changes.
Now let’s not pull out the judgment card too quickly on this blatant act of foolishness (as if you were “all that and a bag of chips” in your early twenties). Besides, having all my right fingers morph into extra large hot dogs and then having a permanent metal plate surgically installed to shore up my missing knuckle is, I assure you, payback enough.
My hair-trigger anger habit did not disappear overnight. It was a gradual thing that came to me after a few weeks of not being able to eat properly or write my name. It might have also been the daily positioning of a garbage bag on my arm to take a one-handed shower, or it could have been the troublesome and humiliating obstacle of not being able to work the gear shift in my car. Perhaps it was the procession of other major inconveniences, including severe constipation, brought on by my new best friend, Tylenol with codeine. Suddenly a glimmer of intelligence broke through the fog of low (heavy on the codeine, remember…).
I found myself saying, “The stupid stuff has got to go.”
If your anger pot is constantly boiling over (i.e., temper tantrums, road rage, work rage, acting out, etc.), you have yet to learn self-control, discipline, maturity, and foresight. Your judgment in all pressure-packed matters should be questioned. Saying it is your nature, or your way, does not excuse the fact that you are indulging in adolescent behavior. You will be setting the example, tone and boundaries for all of the people whom you influence. (Most dogs that are beaten get mean and are looking for something to bite.)
Rage is not a healthy or becoming habit. In business (we are not talking about a bar fight or a battlefield), it is a waste of precious energies. And be fair warned, you will never get the best people to work for you (that is, unless you pay through the nose or they are masochists—and forget about any chance of loyalty).
I will wrap up this change for the better sermon with the following quote from a rather thoughtful world observer:
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds…”—Ralph Waldo Emerson
Essays First Series, 1841, “Self Reliance” (Reading “Self Reliance” is an absolute requirement for all would be entrepreneurs.)

Hi Vickie thanks so much for sharing! You are an inspiration to many!

Chase thanks for sharing your story! It is a great reminder of the journey that we are all on. It also reminds me of the lesson that all leaders need to learn and that is to be mindful of our impacts on others. I greatly appreciate the fact that you are willing to let others learn from your experiences!

A short
“aha” moment I had 6 years ago I was speaking with a person who had
previously worked for me, she said “You need to be a coach. You are so
natural at it” Up until then when people gave me advice on careers, I just
did not even listen, but somehow this comment really stuck. I knew she was
right. You know when that little voice inside says “do this, or go this
direction” and one does not take heed, we are missing opportunities for
happiness. This time I decided to take action on the advice and the little
hunch which occured in my brain right after that. I had just read about
coaching in the paper and learned that UTD was offering a coaching program so I
dug the paper out of the recycling bin and quickly re-read the article. It
spoke to me loud and clear. That afternoon I enrolled in the program and never
looked back. The lasting impact was that it changed my life. As a coach, I seek
coaches to help me through challenges and transitions, and as a coach, just
learning about other people’s perspectives has been life- changing. Had I not
listened to the little voice and connected the article on coaching with the
advice from the former employee, I would not be where I am today. Talk about
being in the moment!
Susan Shapiro
PCC

That moment when something clicks, the aha moment, is so incredible to have.  One of my evolutionary big bangs moved me from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Paris, France.

The first time I went to Europe, I was 19 years old, and I fell in love with the Old World–its history, art and architecture, music, and culture.  I felt at home in France, and I knew I wanted to live there at some point.  Almost 30 years later, I found my way.

My husband, James Morgan, and I are both writers.  We lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the state where I was born and raised and he came and finally found a home.  Our blended family took root there.  But when our younger daughter was graduating from high school, we felt it was time for a change.  We needed to see the world and ourselves in a new way.  

JIm’s artistic hero had been Ernest Hemingway.  He loved what Hemingway did with words and changed the way the world thought about writing and books.  But when my brother, Brent, who was a decorator in New York introduced Jim to painter Henri Matisse in a way that clung to JIm–it was all about Matisse’s colors–JIm discovered his hero had changed.  The more Jim learned about Matisse and his paintings the more he admired him.  Hemingway killed himself at the age of 62, but Matisse  kept creating art and himself until he died at age 85.  When he could no longer see very well, he made his famous cut-outs.  He created until till he died.

I’d thought of a book idea for JIm, which was published as “Chasing Matisse.”  We were going for several months to follow the footsteps painter Henri Matisse from the North to the South of France, to Morocco and Corsica.  It was a grand adventure.  We were going to sell our house in Little Rock, and a friend invited me to Hudson, New York.  He said you guys need to move here.  All these artists and writers are moving here.  

I went to Hudson to look at houses, meet people, and see what was going on.  When I arrived back in Little Rock, the idea crashed into me like a locomotive.  Why do I have to buy another house anywhere?  I’ve always wanted to live in France.  Why not just stay there?  It really felt like a light bulb had appeared above my head and was flashing brightly.  This was finally my chance!  I’d finally gotten there.

We’ve lived in France for almost 10 years now.  What a rich and sumptuous experience I’ve had.  The places I’ve gone, the things that I’ve seen. 

At the moment, it’s time for another change.  it looks like we might be moving back to the U.S.  Like for many others, this financial crisis has impacted us, but it’s also time for us to take care of things that we’ve left dangling, to streamline and simplify.  To pursue new opportunities.  To create new vistas within ourselves as well as in the outer world.  To begin a new adventure.  

I’m waiting for that next aha moment to send me on my path.  Sooner or later, it will come.

That moment when something clicks, the aha moment, is so incredible to have.  One of my evolutionary big bangs moved me from Little Rock, Arkansas, to Paris, France.

The first time I went to Europe, I was 19 years old, and I fell in love with the Old World–its history, art and architecture, music, and culture.  I felt at home in France, and I knew I wanted to live there at some point.  Almost 30 years later, I found my way.

My husband, James Morgan, and I are both writers.  We lived in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the state where I was born and raised and he came and finally found a home.  Our blended family took root there.  But when our younger daughter was graduating from high school, we felt it was time for a change.  We needed to see the world and ourselves in a new way.  

JIm’s artistic hero had been Ernest Hemingway.  He loved what Hemingway did with words and changed the way the world thought about writing and books.  But when my brother, Brent, who was a decorator in New York introduced Jim to painter Henri Matisse in a way that clung to JIm–it was all about Matisse’s colors–JIm discovered his hero had changed.  The more Jim learned about Matisse and his paintings the more he admired him.  Hemingway killed himself at the age of 62, but Matisse  kept creating art and himself until he died at age 85.  When he could no longer see very well, he made his famous cut-outs.  He created until till he died.

I’d thought of a book idea for JIm, which was published as “Chasing Matisse.”  We were going for several months to follow the footsteps painter Henri Matisse from the North to the South of France, to Morocco and Corsica.  It was a grand adventure.  We were going to sell our house in Little Rock, and a friend invited me to Hudson, New York.  He said you guys need to move here.  All these artists and writers are moving here.  

I went to Hudson to look at houses, meet people, and see what was going on.  When I arrived back in Little Rock, the idea crashed into me like a locomotive.  Why do I have to buy another house anywhere?  I’ve always wanted to live in France.  Why not just stay there?  It really felt like a light bulb had appeared above my head and was flashing brightly.  This was finally my chance!  I’d finally gotten there.

We’ve lived in France for almost 10 years now.  What a rich and sumptuous experience I’ve had.  The places I’ve gone, the things that I’ve seen. 

At the moment, it’s time for another change.  it looks like we might be moving back to the U.S.  Like for many others, this financial crisis has impacted us, but it’s also time for us to take care of things that we’ve left dangling, to streamline and simplify.  To pursue new opportunities.  To create new vistas within ourselves as well as in the outer world.  To begin a new adventure.  

I’m waiting for that next aha moment to send me on my path.  Sooner or later, it will come.

“Oh, I bet your hands are full.”  I get this comment on a daily basis from strangers who shake their heads in awe of my ability to walk (well, awkwardly waddle) across a parking lot with my 3-year-old twins in tow.  “I don’t know how you do it!”
Well, me neither.  Thanks, stranger, for noticing my struggle.  I shrug, smile,  and walk off not knowing the answer.  Between raising the twins, owning and running a small interior design business, maintaining a healthy lifestyle (which includes losing 20+ pounds this year!), being married to a full-time working husband, maintaining the household (groceries, budget, cleaning, etc.), and occasionally experiencing a social event, it’s hard to find balance.�
I spent a lot of time trying to find balance, and I tried to divvy up my time equally.  I tried spreadsheets.  I tried calendars.  I tried smart phone apps.  Still no balance.
Guess what?  I realized something very important this year.  I don’t need balance.  Each aspect of my life is not a separate entity.  They work together symbiotically.  There really is no way to spend equal time on each, and this life is not mathematical.
What I needed was not balance in time and logistics, but rather an increase in the quality moments in life.
Instead of pouring over my calendar sadly, I now try to focus on the events that will bring the most quality.�
Fridays after school, the twins and I go to the park or the pet store before we hit the gym.  We name all the pets and make the playground into a castle.  We giggle, sing, and chase each other.  It may only be for an hour, but it’s priceless.  Knowing that Friday is coming allows Monday morning to be more bearable as we struggle to get dressed and out the door to preschool on time.
It’s about the relationships, and it’s about the quality.  If I can shoot for more quality moments in my schedule this year, next year I’ll be able to tell all those strangers “how I do it.”  J J

I love that you figured out that life doesn’t require balance!  Your positive attitude with twins and your work load are inspiring!  It’s so special that you are focusing on fun things with them and putting life’s other demands second!  You have found several ‘Secrets of the Universe!’  God bless you!

8-)

What a great perspective on life!  I think I need to read that book!

As a mom of 3 year old twins too, I agree…quality moments are the way toward the “balance” we hope to attain:):)

You are a rockin’ human being, Neely! Believe it when u hear someone say they are envious. As much of a struggle as it often is, you make it look easy and proclaim your gratitude. Outstanding!!!

As a new mother of only one you inspire me! I know you are an amazing mom and you were an amazing boss! Always happy and never complained even though your plate was way overflowing! Miss you!!!!

Hear,  hear!

What a wonderful reminder… Sometimes we work so hard on cultivating the best garden, we forget to stop and smell the roses. Great post Neely!

Love how you look at life!

My awakening moment came as I was emotionally trying to climb out of the depths of despair and grief – from losing my beautiful brilliant son of 25 years to suicide. And what I realized was that I could find the joy in the depth and anguish of pain and sorrow because the counter balance to that was the height and richness of the love I had for my son. I would never have been willing to give up any of the love to avoid the sorrow. Though I do not have to agree with his decsion – I have learned to respect his right to make it. A physical illness may be painful, visible exhausting and fatal – my son’ s was painful, invisible, exhausting and fatal. It is better to have loved and lost…than to never

Congratulations
to our “Awakenings” contest grand prize winner Marty Coleman! Marty reminds us that it’s often the seemingly small
gestures in life that can have the greatest impact. Life is truly about giving
and receiving love – may this reminder encourage us all to strive to connect
with others in a genuine and meaningful way.

I’d like to extend a heart-felt thanks to everyone who
shared a story about one of their personal “aha” moments – so many inspiring
stories!

We are grateful for all of our sponsors that
generously contributed to the contest – particularly the Gaylord Texan Resort and
Convention Center for the 2 night stay in a Presidential Suite. Plus to all
the Kensho contributors
who donated prizes:  The Hard Rock Café, David
Houle, Byron Katie, Tim
Sanders,
Peggy McColl, Marci Shimoff and Mike Michalowicz –
thank you so much for your contributions.

We are all in this journey together – now is the time
to step up and act as a catalyst for change and awakening in your own life and
community!

Here is Marty Coleman’s story – be sure to check out his
artwork at http://www.napkindad.com

My Aha Moment

I started drawing on napkins while I was unemployed and making lunches for my 3
daughters. I would find an interesting quote and illustrate it with a character
or funny scene. My goal was to help them think about various ideas and issues they
might be going through in middle school and high school. 

After many months I felt sort of depressed because it was my main creative outlet,
the only artwork I was doing at the time. I had given up my career as a practicing
artist to get a ‘real’ job and settle down, provide for my family.  But
the napkins were of no consequence, silly little nothings that were being
thrown away. I felt pretty low about things.

My wife at the time was not happy in the marriage (we later divorced) and took
the girls to California to visit her family in the summer.  I was not
invited. I was home alone on Father’s day when the girls called to tell me they
had hid their presents for me around the house. I walked around the house
following their hints and found my 2 of my daughter’s presents.

My middle daughter directed me to a bottom drawer in a desk and there I found a
napkin she had
drawn for me. It simply said, “Happy Dad’s Day, I love you.”  And below it
were all the napkins from the entire year! She had saved every one and given
them back to me for Father’s Day.

It truly was the best present I ever got, I cried when I found them. She really
didn’t, and couldn’t, understand how much it meant to me to have her do that,
and to have them still in existence.

My Aha moment was realizing that even in the most small, inconsequential gestures
you can have a tremendous impact if you do them with love.  I continued to
draw the napkins for 4
more years, almost every day, until my youngest graduated from High School.

© 2011 Marty Coleman