Growing up as a shy, uber-quiet girl, I never imagined in a million years that I would be getting up and speaking in front of hundreds, even thousands of people. Performing, yes, but standing there and speaking, uh, no . . . Then again, when I was a girl, I never imagined the life I had waiting ahead of me – a life that has the stuff that fairytales are made of, and a life where I’ve had to endure some incredibly painful, hard knocks.
I’ve gotten to travel the world, to end up looking into the deep recesses of my soul. Walked through fame, and despair. I’ve met the most famous people and the most humble. Been lucky and unlucky. And witnessed the power and magnificence of the human spirit.
From my varied life, I can speak to Health and Wellness issues, as a caregiver, on facing terminal illness, to dealing with the loss of a loved one. I am passionate in my activist role as National Spokesperson for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. And because of the tough challenges I’ve faced in life, I am keen about how to overcome the seemingly insurmountable in life, and the never-ending search for happiness, beauty, and meaning. We are blessed, and have the ability to make magic in our lives in a real way. And hard as it can be sometimes – everyday that we wake up is a new opportunity, to choose the life we want to live, and take the steps we need to take to achieve that. And last, but not least, I speak as a woman out there in the world, doing my best to move ahead, and keep learning and growing. Navigating through these waters can be tricky at times, and you can find your path blocked at every turn, but should you let that stop you – no way!
I’ve found that I thoroughly enjoy speaking. It’s challenging, thrilling, and I love being able to look people in the eyes. But the best part of speaking for me is the incredible honor I feel in being able to “give” to another, and that what I have to share will make a difference in his or her life.
