Deadline in Place for Audacious Consulting Radio

May13

Without setting a deadline things may not get done on time or in some cases, ever. So, I gave myself a date to learn something new and to begin something brand new. Radio. Live. Online.

I grew up next door to a radio station. KSWB in Seaside. I remember the daily jingle of, “How’s the weather, that’s what we want to hear.” Which living in Seaside was rather pointless, it was normally foggy and/or raining and if we had sunshine we already knew it. I recall on warm days they would have the window slightly opened and I could hear them recording and playing music.

I remember a confident girl who lived down the alley from my home. Her name was Alice Porter. Her parents owned the beloved corner pharmacy in town. Alice landed herself a spot as a DJ at the age of 14 or 15 I think. She had a great voice. I lost track of her but I know that she went on to be a popular radio host (among other things) in the Seattle, Washington area. She was a big personality and quite inspirational to many. She passed away too early–at the age of 44.

I have had some other touches with radio, doing the ads for our contracting business on our local Christian radio station (KORE) and then more recently ads for Audacious Consulting on the same station.

I am also a co-host for Mighty Women of Vision’s Empowering Hearts Radio which airs on another Christian station twice weekly (KWIL). I have learned the very, very basics about producing and editing the program and I have gained some confidence in speaking into a mic words which will be cast out on the airwaves. Thankfully MWOV gets help with the editing and we are not too uptight because we are doing a casual, conversation-style program.

As I put all of these elements together with my business, which promotes others and ideas, I think that a program to talk with clients about their books, businesses, products, ideas, organizations, etc. will be fruitful. The hope is to honor God and give a place for people to share their dreams and projects.

Therefore, as I have been avidly researching how to do this the best way I have decided today that I need to quit stalling and jump right in. I hope I can sleep. I have a deadline! I need to know how to do this thing before May 23, 2013 when my first program will air. (By the way, I will have call in capabilities as well since I am aiming at an interactive show!)

I hope my guest and I can lend some inspiration. Some folks think that doing new things is simply too scary, or just ridiculous. They are right–new things are scary and sometimes ridiculous–but in a good way. I am ever-concerned that I am both simultaneously over-my-head and not getting in deep enough for God to keep me afloat. I think I am in the right spot.

I hope you’ll join me on this new adventure!

This is just the beginning. I need to do edits with the profile–including the photo, but here is the URL: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/audaciousconsultingradio

Picasso and a Nation’s Pain

Apr18

Picasso–Seated Woman on a Wooden Chair 1941

Maybe I should just keep my blog-mouth quiet–or not?

An observation: life is rough and too many people are feeling the weight of the world upon their shoulders.

Though many people have had their lives turned upside-down in our country this week, the truth is, losses happen collectively all of the time.

I am concerned that some people feel the need to be empathetic at such a level that they are in the pit. They watch news broadcasts, read the latest, and tune in to the bad news of the hour.

We need empathy–of course. But, really, everyday in our country we lose an estimated 1,500 people to cancer, 1,640 people die a day of heart disease, about 89 people die in auto accidents each and every day. (I wish these facts were skewed.) Hard realities to live in. Tough stuff happens. What can we do about it?

I feel like I can say this. I got my learners permit in the tough grief of losing my husband Gary last year. I want(ed) everyone to remember Gary, to care about my kids–and me, too. But, you want to know what was heartbreaking? When I’d talk to someone and they had long been carrying my grief on top of their own. That broke my heart. They did it out of solidarity and love. But, I didn’t (don’t) want anyone to hurt as bad as I was (and sometimes still do)!

And this brings me to the condition of those who are downcast out of respect and empathy this week for those in Boston and in West, Texas. Be sad for them, help if possible, but don’t carry the weight of their pain on top of your own. It robs those around you and immobilizes you.

Maybe there is someone you can do something nice for–a little old neighbor lady. Maybe you can play with your kids, or grandkids, donate to a charity, send a card, an email, do something constructive…or, maybe you can take time to see the beauty all around you, or possibly allow intrigue to captivate your thoughts and consider the odd art of a brilliant man.

What do you think of this Picasso piece?

Are You Afraid Your Phone is Smarter Than You Are?

Apr16

Are you afraid your phone is smarter than you are? I am–but I respect its “intelligence.” I have been thinking over the last week about the need to keep encouraging people to not be intimidated–no digging in your heels and screaming, “I won’t be bothered” or “I can’t do it” about new technology. I admit, there are days that the fluidity and vastness of technology intimidates the heck out of me. But, overall, I don’t throw in the towel.

What technology is intimidating you? Some things are hard to learn. Yet, if you allow yourself time to learn new things and if you refuse to give in or give up–you can do more than you think.

And, this leads me to sharing this blog written by my daughter, Jaklyn. You see, my parents are in the older set. My dad will be 91 this year, and my mom 90. Yet…(read Jaklyn’s blog) Five Minutes of Fame in Canada

Oh, and by the way, I am currently readying for publishing a book written by a woman who is 96! She wrote the book last year at the younger age of 95! No excuses, no fears! That one’s for free!

The Launch Pad

Apr15

I was reading 2 Corinthians 3:1-6 this morning. I see such beauty in that particular analogy. I love the thought of people as letters. In the period of Paul’s writing of Corinthians it was common for letters, or recommendations to be sent by a carrier of some sort before a person coming to do official business, ministry, or for visits actually arrived. We do the same today using phones, emails, and traditional mail. We give and receive official letters, we set appointments and schedule events—we don’t just show up for a stay on someone’s doorstep: we are announced (or we forewarn others!).

We recommend one another to build trust. We promote someone because we believe in them. Sometimes we do this for ourselves—but sometimes that leads to something that sounds—or is, prideful. And, being prideful often repels—a fine line in today’s world.

A good chunk of my business is a form of marketing and promotions—which I absolutely love doing. I don’t have any problem being the forerunner for someone or their business. I appreciate a great billboard, hilarious and point-taken advertisement copy, and gee, a jingle having the power to land a job in the brain repeating the jingle over at the slightest ring of the Pavlovian bell–I can even appreciate that. It’s all about the message being delivered.

Not that I like it all; I identify the “sell” and sometimes—often times, I don’t want it.

Paul wrote, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2-3).

I think that our biggest selling point individually, or as a business or an organization is authenticity. If we are genuine, we will be “written” upon others hearts and minds and we will be recognized for what we are when we show up.

People can be led like sheep—that’s a given, we all can “bah, bah”, but, we don’t easily fall for the inauthentic either—the disingenuous person, business, or organization will usually show itself. Not that any of us have arrived at some perfect level of authenticity—people are far too complex, yet, it can be our ideal.

The first work of the individual, the business, or organization is to be who they are supposed to be and then to be the best they can at it.

And, if you already have a foundation, but it’s not in good shape, repair, re-do, or bulldoze. In life, we get do-overs, we get multiple fails, we get to keep working towards getting it right and being refined in the process. (Ex: Abe Lincoln’s story!)

If you need help putting down the foundation or building upon it (that’s what Audacious Consulting is about) get the help you need and launch from the launch pad of authenticity. If I may also add–enjoy the process–because being who you were designed to be and building things in life you are made for will bring you great joy (and accomplishment).

Picasso and You…

Apr11

What do you think about this art work? It’s okay to be a bit of critic even without being an educated art critic. It’s really about how the picture makes you feel and how you like it. I love this work but I realize not everyone has the same taste, or gets the same feel as I do from it.

It is easy to be the one getting to decide if we like something or not. That’s what people do. But on the other side is the artist, the writer, the entrepreneur, the vocalist, drummer, etcetera, that must have the courage to put themselves and their work out to the public. The fact is, the work, or you personally may feel some legitimate criticisms; and you may also just worry about what others think—sometimes to the point of immobility. The thing, is we are all so different—different writing styles, music styles, etcetera…

Sometimes we try to be seen as perfect just because we are so afraid of being criticized. We are so afraid of rejection or disapproval that we pretend that we are at the top of our game, that our kids are perfect, …and, we even let that make us judgmental of others who are perceived as less thans. This is a trap. Don’t step into it but do step into your own. You know, who you are called to be, made to be, thrilled to be if truth be known.

Do you like Picasso’s work?

Embracing the Beautifully Broken

Mar30

Reblogged from Life As I Pretend To Know It:

I wandered the beach yesterday in search of the perfect shell. I scanned the sandy Oregon shore littered with sea debris, seeking out a complete shell. As my eyes wandered over the incredible landscape, I found myself continually hoping to discover the image of perfection.

I glimpsed several possibilities throughout my wanderings before I thought I spotted 'The One.'

As I stopped to pick up a beloved, whole sand dollar, I thought I'd finally claimed my prize.

Impetus

Mar26

What is your impetus? Can you identify why you must move forward and dare to reach outside of your arm’s length? Is it a creative force that won’t let you rest? Is it the need to analyze and organize? Are you compelled to make the life of children better, or those of a certain social class, age, or ethnic group? Is it a need for “success?” Do you need to construct syntax or something withers within? Has God placed in you or upon you a desire to do something great? There are myriads of reasons and you have your own unique set. How about keeping the question hanging overhead for a day: what drives me? Or as the actor says: “What is my motivation?” Identify your impetus and let it be the force that propels you forward.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impetus

Audacious Consulting

"Partnering with individuals and organizations to realize their God-given dreams via media"